[_THE_PLAGUE]

Hi - I can relate to this post because I also have an on-again, off-again, "pipe dream" of doing solo work. I really have one big "passion" and that is machine learning - genetic algorithms and related stuff, but don't have a C.S. degree so though I have (some) professional experience in that, not enough to get a research job someplace. So I am currently working in QA automation - its a job, that's about it. I have done (and continue to do) some on-again, off-again website work for relatives. I guess my "ideal dream" would be to expand to enough independent projects to quit my day job and therefore have flexibility to do my own pet research (like monkeys typing Shakespeare, or similar arcane but cool stuff like that, lol). I think inevitably were I to seriously go down that road, I'd have to sacrifice "life style" - I make in the mid-60's per year and so I'd have to "downsize" a bit - a smaller apartment or whatever - and that is acceptable to me - I am lucky as I don't have or want kids so I can "downsize" if I really wanted to. But I think downsizing is really inevitable in this kind of transition so if someone has a significant other, try and get them to be the main "bread winner" for a while, while one gets one's projects going maybe. :-) I wouldn't but I don't really have to, since it is just me so it is a matter of "taking the plunge" and I don't know if I am there yet (am only 30 so still have time). Your point number 2 is more complex. I think the key is focusing on what you like. Personally I really like the precision and control that C provides but have null - read (void*)0 - desire to learn, say, Ruby. So it sounds obvious but focus on the stuff technically you like, not necessarily what is the current popular thing of the day. Good luck, since I definitely "feel your pain" as it were! :-)