...50% is a lot for coming up with the idea...
Think of it as 20% profit to the developer (though, if you truly expect success, a flat sum paid for the work involved gives the programmer more confidence)
wouldn't you have liked 35% of microsoft (hey! no one knew what will happen) instead of 50.000 $ back in the 80's?
And I am sorry, but I personally would not invest any amount of work in a business where I will get a flat pay when that business can profit after my work forever. Besides think how bad it is for me: I pay a guy 100 coins (as example), he does the work and then he leaves....he has no interest in staying to further improve and work on the idea. 100 coins later, he takes off and I am where I started. I need a partner not an employee.
...the rest into operating costs. Server, bandwidth, advertisements, support, oh shit fund, etc. If you end up with a large operating fund, you can either expand or have bonuses (to yourself or anyone operating with you).
Operating costs are minimal. Although I appreciate the feedback and arguments, an internet based business has some pretty low maintenance costs.
Besides, I do not see the point of you making up some percentages to suit your individual preferences when you have no idea about what the business is all about.
I do some web programming, but I've got absolutely no idea whether I want to be involved in this. And there is no way in hell I'll sign an NDA.
Please tell me why you left this reply in the first place then? I fail to see the point.
Ideas are a dime a dozen.
Thank you for sharing your oppinion.
As I am far too lazy to pick apart your response into well contained quotes, I'll just respond all at once.
First, I'm honestly curious as to what the idea is. That is why I responded in the first place. Like I said, I have done freelance work. As far as risk for me would be concerned, a flat fee is better for me. I'd rather get the payment and know that I'll have money in my pocket for when I need it. Sure, having 35% of Microsoft would be nice, but what about all those other ventures that didn't take off? Is your idea so incredible that it should be compared to Microsoft? Besides, how long until your idea be making returns? Adoption of whatever it may be could take a while.
Look at it this way, a flat fee is basically saying that you are willing to take the risk and a percent of profits is me taking the risk. Besides, my time is money. I would want to be assured of a return on that time, not some promises.
Your original post said you wanted this up and running in 1 or 2 days. I don't think if you had a programmer set this up in such a time frame that it would be so complicated that another couldn't be hired onto a proven business venture.
Of course I made up percentages, I don't have the knowledge of what you are doing. But I've seen many businesses fail when people underestimate the operating costs. Such large profit margins are actually a red flag. At least to me. Hell, if you feel that this has the propensity to make such profit, why are you even looking for a partner instead of learning to code yourself?
In my experience, all this usually shows that the idea hasn't been though out enough. Perhaps I could change my mind if I had more details and more information.