[char]

Here's what I would say to these guys:

If your product actually IS a technology (and not just a website FOR a product), you're going to need a technical co-founder.

Without a technical person, you just have an idea. You may have the market and business plans all mapped out, but this is really just the tip of the iceberg. Your final product will largely be shaped by the technology behind it. Unless you have a detailed technical version of your app speced out for someone to build, whomever you 'hire' to do the coding for you is by default going to define your product just as much as (if not more than) you have.

Now you can hire someone to do this for you, but with high probability, this relationship isn't going to work out. You're going to need this person to work with you 24/7 and be as dedicated as you. That's by definition, a FOUNDER. Anyone treated differently will quit, and you'll be back to the beginning.

[richardmarr]

Exactly. If you can find someone that great (and that important to your business) who's genuinely happy with salary & options rather than full equity... then hire him because he's a rare beast.