I'm interested in understanding the state of what I'll call "desktop micro ISVs" in the U.S. in 2011. By this I mean one-person computer software companies, creating desktop computer software, and selling it via download. This would be servicing the general interested public, not a niche industry.
The sorts of questions I have are things like (rough estimates are fine):
(Tag editing requested)
Software Business Micro Startup
A couple of points:
I would say like the rest of desktop software, microISV desktop software is waning. Not dead. Not gone. Just not the place to find huge home runs.
MicroISV profitability ranges from 0 to $1m gross revenue, with most successful microISVs doing 2-3 times what they could as employee/freelance programmers.
I know of not one instance of a microISV confronted with a patent issue.
As for weekly time commitment - the more time you spend intelligently, the more your revenue.
Take a look at the Business of Software Forum at (http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/?biz )