January 15, 2011 at 4:46 am
EDIT:
The addin is now available at allmhuran.com
I've written an addin for SSMS2008 which manages the lifecycle for script deployment, with signoffs, notifications, auditing, etc. You can read more about it on my blog here
I also have two demo videos on youtube. The first is long and descriptive, the second is shorter and shows off some new features (and is better quality)
I have also written the addin on top of an SSMS wrapper that I wrote to help myself and others create addins. The source code for that is on my blog.
This is not just an advertising post though. I don't know what I should do with this addin. If you had written it, would you sell it? Give it away? Give away the source code as well? Ask for donations? I worked hard on this and could do with some cash, so some income would be nice.
January 15, 2011 at 5:45 am
If you are on your own, selling it will be tough. Companies usually don't just install everything on their computers. You have to convince them. And you have multiple people to convince: the end-user who will be using it (the SQL developer I guess), the guy who will be installing it (the Administrators or something like that) and the people who go over budgets. Not an easy task. Don't forget that companies usually like some sort of support.
If you'd rather target individual customers (freelancers for example), it will be (somewhat) easier. But support is still needed.
Another option is to make it open source and give it to the community. You can do this on Codeplex. You won't get any money from it (unless you ask for donations), but if the product is good, you can build yourself a solid reputation.
Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP
January 15, 2011 at 5:50 am
Thanks for your feedback. Yep, this is exactly the kind of stuff I'm thinking about.
We are actually using the addin at my place of work with great success. I'm the DBA, so it makes my life a heck of a lot easier (that's why I wrote it), not only during deployment but also when auditors come along and ask how we track changes.
January 15, 2011 at 6:20 am
allmhuran (1/15/2011)
Thanks for your feedback. Yep, this is exactly the kind of stuff I'm thinking about.We are actually using the addin at my place of work with great success. I'm the DBA, so it makes my life a heck of a lot easier (that's why I wrote it), not only during deployment but also when auditors come along and ask how we track changes.
One small but important question:
did you write the code for the add-in at work?
Because if you did (I don't know in which country you work, but this counts for a lot of countries), the code legally belongs to your employer.
Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP
January 15, 2011 at 6:23 am
Nope all code was written at home during (forced) annual leave. I'm aware that companies are generally (string of ugly words here), so I've covered my bases there. 😉
January 15, 2011 at 8:31 am
Have you considered approaching companies with an already established marketing presence and reputation in the industry such as Redgate, Confio, Idera, and Quest. Offering them your code for a set price, or entering into an agreement where they market the product, take their profit and pay you a fee for each copy sold.
As I see it, the advantages to yourself are two fold. One you may reach an agreement from which you generate income. Second, think of it as a resume introducing yourself to that company, who in turn may think highly of your talents and ability and offer you a better paying position than you now occupy.
January 15, 2011 at 8:41 am
That's a good idea and one I had only vaguely considered. I'm not sure how I would approach them though. Guess I'll give them a call 🙂
January 15, 2011 at 8:43 am
allmhuran (1/15/2011)
That's a good idea and one I had only vaguely considered. I'm not sure how I would approach them though. Guess I'll give them a call 🙂
At least regarding RedGate I think there should be a rather easy way to contact them... (strong hint: Who's running this site?)
January 15, 2011 at 8:50 am
Not a clue... but now I'll go find out! Thanks 😀
January 15, 2011 at 8:54 am
LutzM (1/15/2011)
allmhuran (1/15/2011)
That's a good idea and one I had only vaguely considered. I'm not sure how I would approach them though. Guess I'll give them a call 🙂At least regarding RedGate I think there should be a rather easy way to contact them... (strong hint: Who's running this site?)
Answer: REDGATE
By the way if I were you I would go back to your forum posting which contains:
companies are generally (string of ugly words here), so I've covered my bases there. 😉
And delete the above. Who knows if the companies you approach do a Google search and your name. A potential derogatory remark about companies in general will not stand you in good stead.
January 15, 2011 at 9:06 am
I agree that it may be detrimental but I will not delete it, because I believe it to be an unfortunate truth (as I wrote: in general. Not necessarily for every company in the world!). Principles before profit.
(For the record, we use the full Redgate toolbelt at my work, as well as several of the "gifts" Redgate occasionally makes available, and of course profit from their community presence, so from everything I've seen and read here and elsewhere Redgate is one of the exceptions to that generality!)
January 15, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Thanks for your feedback all. After sleeping on it I have decided to release the addin and code under the GNU GPL and set some recommended donations for different types of users (other individual devs working on their own projects - zero, academic/scientific institutions - zero, corporate - depending on company size). I'm also going to make my own website to host some content as well as my projects, so have registered a domain and should have a basic site up soon.
It's been at least 8 years since I built a website so I am relearning everything in visual studio 2008. Good fun. All in all I've learned a heck of a lot on this project so far.
January 16, 2011 at 2:17 am
allmhuran (1/15/2011)
All in all I've learned a heck of a lot on this project so far.
That's the most important thing.
Good luck!
And if the website is up, let us know 🙂
Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP
January 16, 2011 at 8:42 am
allmhuran (1/15/2011)
Thanks for your feedback all. After sleeping on it I have decided to release the addin and code under the GNU GPL and set some recommended donations for different types of users (other individual devs working on their own projects - zero, academic/scientific institutions - zero, corporate - depending on company size). I'm also going to make my own website to host some content as well as my projects, so have registered a domain and should have a basic site up soon.It's been at least 8 years since I built a website so I am relearning everything in visual studio 2008. Good fun. All in all I've learned a heck of a lot on this project so far.
Good luck and be a frequent visitor to SSC so as to help/inspire others.
January 19, 2011 at 3:59 am
I have created the website and made the addin and source code available:
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