Wondering if your firm can make it through the recession? Here's the tale of one software firm that's already done it.

In the aftermath of 9-11, Mike Broderick believed that if he could make an audience response system simpler and less costly, it had huge potential.

So he struck out on his own and launched Turning Technologies based on the simple idea of integrating audience response into Microsoft's ubiquitous PowerPoint.

He got the response he was looking for. Sales have zoomed from just over half a million in 2003 to an estimated $35 million in 2008. And the company has won several fistfuls of awards.

Broderick reveals 13 tips on how to start a software company in hard times and make it big in our Feature of the Week.

Everyone wants to get paid for their software, especially in tough times.

In our Tip of the Week, we show you an intriguing new service that's easy on honest users, flexible for software publishers, but very hard on any crackers and counterfeiters trying to rip you off.

First we bring you some tips and fresh ways to look at copy protection, and then the details on this cost-effective new offering.

Is now the time for a small software vendor to bring resellers onboard? How best to motivate them? And how much time should you regularly invest with them?

In our featured thread, our moderators help you figure out if your sales volume and profitability justify pursuing resellers. And if you do bring them onboard... stay on top of them!

Great advice from industry experts and SoftwareCEO members alike, in SoftwareCEO Forums. You'll find more than 20,973 questions from the field and answers on a variety of software topics.

Just so you're aware, the 2009 SoftwareCEO Innovation Awards will be officially open for nominations beginning January 5. I've been fielding a lot of inquiries lately about this, so I thought I'd let everyone know.

Also, watch for our Dec 9^th newsletter special edition, focusing on how small software companies can survive in the current economic downturn. December's Software University class will also focus on this subject (see the sidebar)... at a bargain $99 price.