My wife was arrested using one of these devices.
The police in Montreal is testing this technology, they plan to install it on a hundred cars by the end of the year.
After speaking with the police, it's clear that this technology won't affect real criminals, it will only catch honest people like my wife.
I posted the story and technical details on my blog: http://www.enlighten3d.com/2008/08/03/a-computer-vision-system-arrested-my-wife/
Before I funded Feeling Software, I researched the market for several months. I also contacted hundreds of former colleagues, industry contacts, etc. I made sure I had enough cash in the bank to last at least 6 months. (It takes on average 2-3 months before I get paid by my clients, partly because currency exchanges from USD to CND means that checks are frozen for a month.) I read several books, e.g. "Getting started in Computer Consulting (Meyer)". I had nearly 10 years of commercial experience for highly reputable companies. I also did managed the R&D for a start-up for over a year. I knew about government subsidies, how to deal with investors, etc. Basically, I was prepared for the next step.
It's been 8 months now and overall we've been quite successful. 4 employees (myself included), a dozen excellent clients, including regular ones. Cool projects. I'm still not making as much salary as I could if I worked full-time. But that's because we keep money to invest in the company. Overall the company is profitable and we're always ready to hire top talent when we see it.
Note that unless you're pro at what you do, and therefore already able to keep a good and satisfying full-time job, you're not going to enjoy contract work more than regular work.
Good luck.
Christian Laforte
3D Graphics Expert
http://www.feelingsoftware.com/
Slashdot Mirror
My wife was arrested using one of these devices. The police in Montreal is testing this technology, they plan to install it on a hundred cars by the end of the year. After speaking with the police, it's clear that this technology won't affect real criminals, it will only catch honest people like my wife. I posted the story and technical details on my blog: http://www.enlighten3d.com/2008/08/03/a-computer-vision-system-arrested-my-wife/
Before I funded Feeling Software, I researched the market for several months. I also contacted hundreds of former colleagues, industry contacts, etc. I made sure I had enough cash in the bank to last at least 6 months. (It takes on average 2-3 months before I get paid by my clients, partly because currency exchanges from USD to CND means that checks are frozen for a month.) I read several books, e.g. "Getting started in Computer Consulting (Meyer)". I had nearly 10 years of commercial experience for highly reputable companies. I also did managed the R&D for a start-up for over a year. I knew about government subsidies, how to deal with investors, etc. Basically, I was prepared for the next step. It's been 8 months now and overall we've been quite successful. 4 employees (myself included), a dozen excellent clients, including regular ones. Cool projects. I'm still not making as much salary as I could if I worked full-time. But that's because we keep money to invest in the company. Overall the company is profitable and we're always ready to hire top talent when we see it. Note that unless you're pro at what you do, and therefore already able to keep a good and satisfying full-time job, you're not going to enjoy contract work more than regular work. Good luck. Christian Laforte 3D Graphics Expert http://www.feelingsoftware.com/