Any programmers here that are able to make a living selling their own programs?
pz: I know its a bit trendy, but I am making a living off of iPhone apps.  I don't have any smash hits but have been maintaining a fairly consistent income since I published my first app last December. Right now I am trying to ramp up the number of apps I have and my goal is to match my previous salary at a "hot, young internet startup" in the valley (which is in the throws of death, i think)This was my first experience selling software, I was always a research oriented, backend sort of guy... usually a few abstractions away from the actual product.  So I had to think about a lot of new things, but it was really fun.  I wasn't used to thinking about where buttons should go or how the UI flow for creating a new game.  And I certainly wasn't used to responding to user feedback.  The first version of my first game was pretty buggy and people complained and there was my name next to it in the app store.  Not something I was used to.  But now I most of the emails I get tell me how much they like the program and as much as I like to say I hate people, it feels pretty good.So maybe that's inspiring.Or maybe the fact that its noon and I'm typing this from bed with my dogs asleep next to me will inspire you.  Although, the freedom to work on my own terms is a blessing and a curse.  This has been covered before on HN, but I would say if you have the self discipline, then its more of a blessing.I have mixed feelings about writing apps because it can be a crapshoot.  I don't think you can go into it expecting to write a huge hit, but I also think its one of the best places for an independent software developer.  Apple takes care of a lot of the non-development details for you and you can get your app in front of a lot of eyes very quickly.PS: I will probably go back to work at another startup someday.  As much as fun as I'm having, I do miss working with a good team of folks on something that requires EVERYONE's effort.  But for now, I am very happy doing what I'm doing.