Ever since the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 - the first case in recorded history in which a country formerly made a declaration of independence - software developers across the world have diligently fought to maintain their independence from the dominating powers. In the face of overwhelming odds, they've had the courage to stand up for what they believe in. They've raised arms with and against their brethren, shed their blood and sacrificed their lives to defy tyranny. They've forged ahead against insurmountable odds and shown the masses a new and better world. A world of peace and harmony. A world of free thought and prosperity. A world with independent software.

Ok, maybe that's a little melodramatic (and historically inaccurate, everyone knows software development wasn't recognized as a profession until 1859 when French artillery lieutenant Amédée Mannheim invented the modern-day slide rule). Even so, as the name of the site would imply, this is all about independence. What does it mean to be an indie developer? How does one go about earning that moniker? The Oxford Dictionary gives us a good idea of what it means to be "Independent":

1 free from outside control; not depending on another's authority

Certainly, in order to be considered an independent, you have to be able to think and act without relying on someone else to tell you HOW to think and act. Further, independence requires that you be able to follow what you believe in despite what any-(or every-)one else tells you.

2 not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence; capable of thinking or acting for oneself

Independent development isn't about what anybody else thinks - it's about how and what you think. It doesn't have to be revolutionary. It doesn't even necessarily have to be new. If it's your idea, or your action, then you're being independent. Funnel that into software development, and magically, you have independent software development.

3 not connected with another or with each other; separate; not depending on something else for strength or effectiveness; freestanding

This last definition doesn't really fit into my concept of what really makes and indie developer so "indie". As such, I've already written to Oxford to have it stricken from their dictionaries. This site wouldn't exist were it not for my belief that independent software development were something to be shared, respected, and encouraged among those who share a passion for being "indie". You'd be hard pressed to find any awesome idea or application in software development that didn't build off of an awesome idea or application that somebody else came up with. Let your beliefs, mantras, opinions, ideals, disciplines, knowledge, and wisdom be shared so that our world can become a better one.

I wouldn't be so bold as to say an independent developer is one who "Thinks Different". In fact, I don't believe that to be true at all. I think the core of what independent development centers around an individual's desire to think for himself (or herself). In fact, the very attempt to define what an independent developer defies the idea of independence - I'm not here to make anyone conform to my ideals of what independent development involves. If you believe you're an independent developer (even if nobody else says you are), then you have a place here, and you deserve to be heard.

That's all I have to say...so get back to work doing something interesting already!