Im_Talking

Who the fuck cares?

Do your own startup, bootstrap it, answer to no one, feel the freedom to innovate as you see fit, eliminate the politics, remain true to your own calling. Fuck the VCs... fuck'm in the ass.

I was a contractor for years and after some time at it I detested it. You get the contractor mentality where you only think of hours worked, and even on days where you are as sick as a dog, you haul yourself to work because... well, because it's 8 hours pay. Holidays become less and less because not only is it the cost of the holiday itself but it's the hours of pay you are missing out on. Double whammy. Plus there is no leverage... the only way to make more is to work more. And the businesses have no respect for contractors; they are the first to go. If you can treat the consultancy role as an interim solution between major gigs, then it's Ok. I think I used jobsearch.com.au and contracted via agencies.

My advise: switch focus to developing a product that you can sell.

Don't agree. A 'right' is more basic than that. A 'right' is a fundamental activity that everyone can do unless it affects other people's rights. The old saying "My right to swing my arms ends at your face" is the perfect description. I have the right to drink 2 bottles of whiskey as long as I don't infringe upon other people's rights of security, safety, etc. I have the right (in a perfect world) to smoke cannabis on my back porch as long as other people's rights are not violated (right to clean air, etc). And 'rights' are not allowed or given... they are fundamental; ie, there has to be very rational reasons to disallow a 'right' (hear that, Harry Aslinger?)

... and getting back to the OP. Anyone is free to love and co-inhabit anyone else. It is a right. A privilege is given, rights are fundamental.

... because equity is gold.

If I play a tennis tournament and let's say I'm losing... I say to myself "You're not in the shower". This means that I still have control and can turn it around. If I'm in the shower after the match then it's over and there is nothing I can do. This is my message to myself to kick myself in the ass. So... you aren't in the shower yet. You have control. But you need to use that control and change course. Much of life is duty, and there is great honour in duty. As I'm sure you know, the devil is in the details. If you decide that this duty is worth doing, then you need to slap yourself in the face and do it. Your post is full of excuses but no real reasons.

Good luck.

It's amazing what people ask others on the Net.

What does your 'gut' say?

To mitigate risk.

To establish funding sources early to be able to tap in later. Never go for funding when you need it... always do it when you don't.

What your competitors are doing is not material. Ask your customers what they want, and give it to them. In all my years, I have not altered my course a single iota based on what a competitor is doing. Pointless.

You sir, need to sit down and read The E-Myth.

Just read this again and still shaking my head. Ladies and gentlemen, this article describes the typical techie: a techie who happens to make money from his craft. Never, never be this guy. You want to approach software this way: you want to be a businessman/woman who uses software as a tool to create a business. Do you understand the difference between the 2 approaches? Repeat: never be this guy.

"But it's still a boring constant revenue small business which makes me money for living. As a kid who loves gadgets, coding and computers I'm going to shut it down and start something better that can probably change the world."

I'm sorry, but these last comments confirm, to me, that you are an idiot with no business sense at all. You need to step back and look at this whole thing objectively. Jeez.

Wouldn't trust Facebook as far as I could throw them. The whole thing just gives me the ebe-gee-bees (which is a technical term).

I will never sign-up. You will have to pry the Unsubscribe key from my cold dead hands.

Let me get this straight... you're only 26, your current job sucks, your current job has no growth potential, and you are asking what to do? Jeez.

Mate, unless you have prior agreements that you have signed to the contrary, you own the IP. Period. You own it. Turn this around and invite her to 'share' in YOUR IP. The fact that she is 'in charge of the business model' is immaterial.

I've been in the software game for 30 years, and my advise is: never, never, never do anything that will reduce your ownership of IP. IP is your ticket.

P.S. I am not a lawyer.