[anovikov]

That's correct, this is how it should be. Enjoy it. Get a hobby.

If your software gets used, it means that you are hired by extremely smart and highly competitive people, because only those can get their software to be used while still making money enabling them to hire engineers. Which means, these people get the best deals for themselves all the time. Which means, you have pulled a short stick: they got a great deal with YOU, too. If your software gets used a lot, it means that you make a lot less than you could, if you only worked for different people.

Extra point: if your client is happy, it means you undercharge them heavily. A client should be always unhappy, but just a bit less so than it takes to fire you.

If both conditions are met - congrats, you have maxed yourself out and are making the top dollar you can.

[mac3n]

> If your software gets used, it means that you are hired by extremely smart and highly competitive people ...

have you ever worked for Oracle?

>A client should be always unhappy

If you're not regularly sued by clients, are you even trying?

[anovikov]

>have you ever worked for Oracle?

touche! No i haven't. And yes i can imagine, monopoly is a different beast.

>If you're not regularly sued by clients, are you even trying?

I actually heard it phrased in exactly same way! Optimal price/quality point for an outsourcing shop is where marginal litigation costs equals marginal profit made. Do better and you lose profit. Do worse and you pay more to lawyers.