[petercooper]

The reason so many people are content with being employees, rather than striking it out on their own, has to do (at least in part) with their risk tolerance.

See, I run my own business (and was self employed for perhaps 10 years before that) and I've turned down acquisition offers on the basis that without having "FU" money, having a full time job is as risky as it gets. One source of income, other people get the control over firing you, no guarantees of landing another job within a certain time frame.. that sounds risky to me. (Not that I disagree for people in general, but it's all relative to what you're used to, I guess.)

[sokoloff]

A qualified developer with basic social skills and hygiene habits should have no fear of a full time job's lack of control. Yes, we go through minor hiccups in the hiring market every decade or so, but even in those, all of my friends who were actually good had no issues if they wanted to move jobs.

Get good at development, if that's your thing. It will help you whether you do a startup or work for someone else. (It's also a lot more fun, IMO.)

[nightski]

Which is precisely why this entire "risk" thing is being blown out of proportion. At any time if you fail you can go get a job with ease.

[jpd750]

I'm doing that - took a job straight out for 1.5 years, did a startup - didnt work out. Now, going back into workforce to save up some more $$ (for the next one :) )