I don't think the days of being Independent are over, but with the broad range of tools/skills that now go into building a single app, it can be very difficult(impossible?) for a single programmer to be an expert in all of them. I went from being independent, to working with other contractors, to being an employee with EPS. I really enjoy the interaction with other professionals and the opportunities to learn are great! I think the trick to being happy is finding the right company that matches your personality...

>In an editorial in the October 2000 Fox Talk Whil Hentzen asked the question, "Are the days of the Independent Developer over?"
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>Althought there is much to learn and it will be hard for the young coming into this environment, I don't think it is over. Especially with tools like the Universal Thread available where we can be "independent" and still share with one another.
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>Of course, I am looking forward to the day that I can bring on a couple of guys with me who I can trust, like my sons. But, I don't feel any strong compulsion to surrender my independence and join up with a firm.
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>What does everyone else think?
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>Is the independent developer soon to be done?