[bnorton]

How about the people that don't like or dont have time for said hackfests, how else would one meet someone like this?

I feel that hackfests/days are not really all that enjoyable but am just as likely to be prime co-founder material...

[phereford]

There should be non hackfest events that you should be going to if you are interested in startups (i.e. networking events, tweetups, etc).

I don't have much free time on my hands either, but I am still actively going to these events because its how you meet people interested in startups.

[ig1]

The only way you'll know if you're likely to be a good match with someone is if you spend time coding, etc. with them. Hackdays are a good place to do that.

Starting a company with someone you've not worked with before is like getting married to someone you've never dated before.