Ask HN: Making a living selling software components, not SaaS?

There have been countless discussions about SaaS with tons of examples and success stories. It seems like a good way to structure new software businesses.

However, I wonder if there's anyone here who makes decent money selling software components or code "the old way".

Please share your stories.

(I'm also interested in hearing the buyer's side, so please mention useful code/software that you had bought).