[techtrucker]

Ok, I'll try and keep this short. I am currently working as a consultant (via an agency) doing both tech support/network stuff as well as some development work. Most of it is for Windows PCs, but I do have a couple of Mac clients. I would love to work exclusively on Macs, but I also have bills to pay...my existing Mac clients are starting to refer me to other companies that use Macs. I've been contacted about porting some software to OS X...I'm on the verge of thinking I can break out on my own and focus on the niche market of Macs, but wonder if there would be enough to keep me going. I sure as heck don't expect anyone to forecast my income potential, I'm more interested in hearing about real world experiences from other folks who are working exclusively on Macs. I'm very passionate about the platform, I've been using Macs since the mid-90s but have never been able to find any full time jobs working with them in my area (Northern NJ).
I also have an idea for an application that I believe would be a success on the Mac only if Apple starts to at least slowly penetrate the corporate market. I have it about a 1/3 of the way done, it's been a great way for me to get into ObjC and Cocoa.
Again, I don't expect any concrete answers here, sorry for rambling, I'm just looking for some feedback fomr others who may have found themselves in the same position. Thanks in advance....

[tooki]

I say go for it.

I think it's a great time to be a Mac developer -- you can quickly develop with Cocoa, and the Mac software market is much easier to break into than the Windows one (read this article on Wired.com for a neat story on it: <http://wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,66276,00.html>).

Also, I don't know what your app is, but there are lots of Macs in use in small businesses (especially ad agencies, graphic arts of course, but also in law offices!). If it's useful outside of the large enterprise market, you can probably do well.

tooki

[techtrucker]

Thanks for the input. It does seem to me to be a good idea to focus on a niche market rather than just be one of a gazillion Windows developers or MCSEs...Off to a client this morning who has artists using Macs, rest of the office on PCs, wants the artists to save files up on the server. Going to introduce them to the smb protocol.
Thanks again, really going to give this some thought.