The MicroISV Digest for the week ending October 6th, 2008.

(If you have an announcement of interest to your fellow microISV, indies or startups, please email me at bob.walsh@47hats.com with the word digest in the subject.)

News and Announcements

• Neil Davidson, organizer of the Business of Software Conference, has launched the Business of Software Network on Ning! 201 members and growing.
• Chad Sellers, Useful Fruit Software, has shipped his first product: Pear Note. Pear Note is a Mac app which can record both video and audio keyed to your textual notetaking. Click you text note, jump right to that part of the video and/or audio recording. (via email)
• Tomas Kohl has launched his microISV, colladeo, and opened a beta of his web app, Playground, an on-demand requirements capture & collaboration tool. Beta signup is here. (via email)
• Tõnu Runnel wanted to make sure you’d heard about his web app/company edicy. Edicy is a new kind of a website building tool, which is extremely easy to use, focuses on business users and is localized for a number of different languages and markets. (via email)
• Conrad Albrecht is looking for feedback on http://drawmusic.com/and his new Windows app, ChordSong. (via BOS)
• Adam Bumgardner launched a new take on an old problem: controlling your finances. Money Folders for Windows let’s you do envelope-style budgeting – the only budgeting approach that’s ever worked for me. (via BOS)
• I announced Startup 101 – A Microsoft-sponsored 4 part business webcast for microISVs and startups coming at the end of October.

Relevant Blog Posts, Videos and Articles

• Another Scott Carpenter (InvoicePlace) find, How to avoid burnout by managing stress. (via email)
• Ian Landsman (Userscape HelpSpot) answers Why Now is a Great Time to Start a Software Company. I happen to agree with him – and Ian knows more than a thing or two about creating a successful software company.
• Jason Calacanis does too, but expects to see 80% of the VC-funded startups die in the next 18 months. (the) Startup Depression. This is not a post for faint of heart – but Jason has earned the right by what he’s accomplished to lay this on you.
• Rob Walling makes a good argument for buying, not building your Micro ISV: Should You Build or Buy Your Micro-ISV? Definitely worth considering.

Further (mostly relevant) Reading

• Considering the economic climate, maybe you need a shot of entrepreneurial inspiration: I suggest you start tracking Startup Stories a new blog carnival of first-hand accounts of people living the entrepreneurial dream. By Scott Allen, who’s been About.Com’s Guide to Entrepreneurs since 2002.