What's most exciting about this whole thing, is the prospect of a new and potentially, hopefully, more flexible mode of sustenance for software developers world wide.

The initial financial risk of the develop first, market later model seems to be greatly mitigated by the kickstarter approach. The market can be validated in real terms, with real money, before a developer has to take the plunge. Striking out on your own was (perhaps) never so easy.

The new model may very well liberate many developers from the financial shackles that bind them to their day jobs; it may create more stories of the Marco Arment lineage: independent, flexible, balanced.

With each new successful story like Light Table that comes along, the more convinced others will become that independent software development as a living may very well be possible for themselves as well.

I advise caution - successful funding does not yet mean successful product. The greatest threat to Kick-starter is the strong potential for projects to devolve into marketing drives for funding followed by people running off with the money, because they have no liability.

One of the big budget endeavours will fail to come to fruition, and the entire internet will throw a gasket, and then we will see if the model is sustainable without having contractual obligations from the fundee.

I can attest to that. My project met it's goal of $25k over a year ago when the largest project was still < $1M. It was great market validation. But I was surprised at how much market validation was still left. It didn't deter me though since I know building a business is hard regardless.

I think $200k is still low enough that the market and product needs to be vetted. Pebble at $10M isn't such. Only they can screw it up themselves at this point.

I'm excited that the goal is reached. One thought: I just saw your "We made it" blogpost via planet.clojure.in. May i suggest that you post it as an update on kickstarter?

I think most people on kickstarter expect and enjoy when the project author "celebrates" the reached goal with them. In addition the news about the 2nd demo is remarkable.

Btw any forecasts as to when the demo is going to go public?

Done. :)

It'll go out before the kickstarter is done. I'm trying to finish it up in the next 10ish days.

Can't wait. Keep up the good work and when the inevitable criticism comes, ignore the haters.

> when the inevitable criticism comes, ignore the haters

What if the criticism is correct?

He didn't say to ignore the criticism, just ignore the haters. ;)

Looking forward to it. I didn't contribute at the initial rates, so was delighted when you took on board the comments here and rethought the pricing (if that's the right word).

I found the first demo inspiring, and I'm very much looking forward to where things will go.