Should I quit my job?

[geekChick]

Hi everyone,

Here is my dilema. I'm currently working as a software developer for a company and am also starting my own software company. There are a couple of issues:

1. We are working with technologies that are more than 12 years old at my job and to be honest I'm not learning anything. I started in Februrary and the migration to the newer technology has taken 2 years and they are only 10% complete.

2. The company I work for has an inventions and ideas clause that states that any idea I come up with on my own time while I'm employed by the company belongs to them. Which is BS, but a lot of software companies do it. My boss said they would never go after anyone, but I don't want to take his word for it

Also, I work with a nice group of people but they are all "comfortable". They are not an entrepreneurial group at all. I'm really frustrated and my attitude has been poor. When the clock hit 5 I zoom out of there to go work on my own business stuff and am working toward submitting to a seed funding company that will invest in my business. I'm thinking about quitting my job and becoming a contractor somewhere else until I hear back from an investor. Anyways, I would really appreciate your advice.

[mtnjkwe]

You should take serious note of the "inventions and ideas" clause as its very very important and can lead to prosecution in case your idea turns out to be a hit.
Just my 0.2

[Quartzee]

I happen to know a person who did this exact same thing. He quit his job to start developing and he is doing quite well freelancing and contracting from time to time. I would have to agree with mtnijkwe, "inventions and ideas" clause probably isn't important until your invention or idea starts to make real money. Once that happens they will come after you to see wether your idea was created while you were employed with the company.

The best community I have found with drive and commitment to new projects is college students. I'm not sure how old you are or if you still have a connection to some college friends but that might be a good place to find some support.

[Encrypted]

My honest opinion.. as long as you aren't struggling to pay your bills. Get the hell out of there. You don't want them stealing your ideas, and if your coworkers are "comfortable" working with old technology, I don't foresee that company growing much, or at all, over the next decade.