ES> Mine is an independentant consulting firm which 
 ES> specializes in custom scientific and engineering 
 ES> software and crypto applications. These are vertical, 
 ES> one-of-a-kind projects for large corporate and 
 ES> government entities.  I have no hesitation in refusing 
 ES> DOS- or Windows-based requests.  My reputation among 
 ES> those who count is excellent, and if a customer wants 
 ES> my work, and if I choose to do it, it is on my terms.

Your situation sounds much like mine.  I think part of the respect is
BECAUSE I stick to my guns about OS/2 --- the customer eventually realizes
I was right.

You don't know how many times I've heard "How come our own programmers
can't write a system that never crashes?".

If there are any programmers reading this that are thinking about going out
on your own (and assuming you are competent),  I think there is plenty of
OS/2 work out there for you -- to the point that you can outright refuse to
do any DOS/Windows programs.

A good place to find your first job or two is through a placement agency
(but many will want to commit you for 12mos;  I find this way too long,but
others like the stability).

I live in the Toronto area (per capita OS/2 interest has traditionally been
higher here than in the US),  but I find that less and less of my work
comes from this area (or even this country).   It is not uncommon for me to
never meet my customer in person.

One other piece of advice -- write lots of freeware and always put your
voice phone number in it,  stating that you are an OS/2 developer. These
free programs are free advertising (Shareware doesn't work).


--- Maximus/2 2.01