Hi,
Welcome to the January issue of Software Marketing News, an independent voice for software developers. An HTML version can be viewed at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/author-resource-newsletter62.html .

New Look
Malstream http://www.malstream.com was kind enough to create a new look for the Software Marketing Resource website. Malstream Graphic Design, specializes in both online and printed media. As you can see their quality is excellent. Malstream provides web design services; they assist in building a corporate identity, packaging, print advertisements and icons and program interfaces. The prices are also very reasonable and turn-around time is excellent.

Happenings in 2005

Sell on Amazon
Kathy Salisbury launched Great Mind Software and began publishing software titles on Amazon.com. Kathy's service is a great value and due to its popularity, and the inexpensive cost for a listing, she has instituted a new policy. If you qualify and wish to sell through Amazon, sign-up.
http://www.greatmindsoftware.com/signup/

AISIP Launched
Sue Picchota lauched the Association of Independent Software Industry Professionals. AISIP is a professional association for people who work in the independent software industry. The organization has a become an instant success with more than 6,000 messages in the members newsgroup since its launch in June of 2005. The best part is it is only $ 24.00 per year. This is money well spent when you consider that the monthly fee is just $ 2.00 per month. One helpful marketing tip will pay for membership, for the next decade.
http://www.aisip.org

Mac Foray
We recently launched a Mac application, and appreciate the help of Allistair from Rampell Software, maker of DidTheyReadIt, SureType and TypeRecorder http://www.rampellsoft.com . Allistair is doing some interesting things, and I'll be interested in learning more from him in 2006. Brad Taylor from http://www.churr.com was also helpful in our foray into Mac marketing. We've learned a lot and will be posting more about Mac marketing in the coming year.

Technology Predictions for 2006 and Reflections on 2005
2005 literally took the world by storm. The tragedies of the Asian Tsunami, the Hurricanes that blew through the US Gulf Coast and the earthquakes that swallowed parts of Pakistan have left an indelible mark on 2005. While mother nature cast a shadow on 2005, it was technology that delivered the impact that resulted in a huge outpouring of donations.
2005 in Review and 2006 Predictions - http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/2005-overview-2006-predictions.htm

Other Industry Predictions -
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/predictions-2005.htm

Website Resolutions for New Year -
As all of us view the new year, we determine various ways to improve ourselves. Whether its eliminating bad habits, or improving quality of life, January 1st is seen as a new beginning and starting point. Your website too, can use a new look. Consider taking the website to task with these down and dirty, quick improvement tips for the new year.
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/website-resolutions.htm



Past Predictions

How did Dave Collins do with his predictions?
I'd have to say he nailed it - hmmm security and privacy, RSS, and search engine landscape changes.
http://www.sharewarepromotions.com/blog/200412.html#e578

How did I do with last year's predictions?
DR is still struggling and has not unified their aquisitions and technology into a consolidated - showing that size in this case does not matter. I was off on Outsourcing , conceptually I was right but I'm seeing more from China than India these days. And strategic relationships have never been more important than they are today - not too bad for a non-oracle ;-)
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/author-resource-newsletter49.html

Software Vendor Awards
We felt it was time to recognize software industry vendors. As a result we are launching Software Vendor awards. This will help new developers, Micro-ISVs and others marketing software give insight into the specific solutions and customer service the Software Vendors provide.

Schedule:
January 1, 2006 Vendor Nominations Open
January 27, 2006 Nominations Closed

February 1, 2006 Voting Begins
February 15, 2006 Voting Ends

March 1, 2006 Winners Announced

Review the list of categories for Software Vendors.

Nominate Software Vendors Now - http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/2006-nominations.htm

Game Developer Awards
Nominations for the 6th annual Game Developers Choices Awards will commence on January 2nd , 2006.
http://www.igda.org/awards/nominations.htm

Call for Papers -

Shareware Industry Conference (SIC) 2006
SIC 2006 Denver, CO on July 13-15, 2006.
SIC is the premier shareware/software industry conference attracting vendors, download sites, and software developers from around the world.

The SIAF Board has just issued a call for papers and presentations for SIC-2006, in Denver, Colorado. If you are interested in speaking at the conference, please make sure you download and follow the Call for Papers guidelines, and take particular note of the various submission deadlines. Please respond by January 31, 2006.
http://www.sic.org/sic2006/sic-2006_call-for-papers.pdf



SLAM - 2006
SLAM 2006 Chicago, IL. on April 11-12, 2006.
SLAM 2006 is a Sales, Licensing, Alliances & Marketing Conference and will serve an audience of decision makers from software companies located throughout North America who are conducting business domestically and worldwide.

This is an opportunity to present to owners, CEOs, presidents, vice presidents and division or department managers of leading and fast-growing software companies interested in exceptional performance and corporate growth. Please respond by January 13th.
http://www.softwarebusinessonline.com/slam_conf2006_callforpres.htm

Conferences

Shareware Industry Conference - It is the sponsors that, in large part, make this event possible. SIC offers three basic levels of sponsorship, with each level providing successively more exposure for the sponsor.
http://www.sic.org/sponsors.asp



Software Marketing Calendar
Calendar of events in the software industry. If you have events that relate to software that you would like to have added please email them to me.
http://www.calendarhub.com/pub/softwaremarketing or grab the RSS feed from http://www.calendarhub.com/rss/21882/month

Article(s)
What is Web 2.0
There has been a lot of chatter lately about Web 2.0, as if the Internet is a versioned software application. So what is Web 2.0? Simply put, Web 2.0 is a perceived transition of the web to web applications.
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/web-2.htm

Web Applications vs Desktop Software
There has been a long running debate about web applications replacing desktop software applications. While some functions are better suited to web applications. It is my belief that security concerns and legacy systems will prevent desktop software from becoming obsolete.
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/web-applications-cons.htm


an alternate view "Say Goodbye to Software Residing on Your Desktop" can be found at http://tinyurl.com/7mgxm

Software Success Story
RIT Labs - Ritlabs SRL is a software company specialized in communications products. Since Ritlabs creation in 1994 their user base has grown to include thousands of customers.
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/software-success-10.htm

If you would like to be profiled as a software success story drop me a note.

Resources:

Add Your Forum
Find Your Forum is a forum directory. Just add your software forum in the appropriate category.
http://www.findyourforum.com


Office Online
If your product or service works with Microsoft Office request a Free listing on the Microsoft Office Marketplace.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX010409771033.aspx

Best Wishes for 2006
I would like to personally extend good wishes, happiness and prosperity in 2006. My heart goes out to those affected by the tragedies of 2005. My hope is that in 2006 the world will be a better place.

We hope you enjoy the new look and information on the SMR website. Please feel free to send us your comments and suggestions.

If you know someone who would like to subscribe to Software marketing News please have them send an email to webmaster@softwaremarketingresource.com with "subscribe" as the subject line.

Software marketing resource is an independent voice for developers. We welcome any suggestions and feedback on our blog, articles, newsletter and website.

Thank you for your continued interest in SMR.
Sharon Housley
Software Marketing Resource - http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com
FeedForAll - http://www.feedforall.com
NotePage, Inc. - http://www.notepage.net