[michaelpinto]

Is the client real? I only ask because I frequently find that unfunded companies are the first ones to ask you to sign an NDA. Also a company that is doing anything really confidential will employ people on site as opposed to outsourcing.

I can't tell you how many times I've signed an NDA and the person turned out to be a total flake. Usually said flakes know nothing about technology and some idiot told them that having an NDA was important. It's like a child playing dress up — and what's sad that child may be a lawyer or some other vague professional who doesn't know what they don't know.

[blowski]

I've had that. Some one-person marketing agency who wants a Wordpress installation, and you have to sign an NDA because they're going to 'revolutionise the industry'.

[michaelpinto]

It drives me up the wall I tell you!!! The worst are the non-tech types who think they're the next Zuck — you sign the silly NDA and their "idea" is always some vague parody of something that's out there. It's like being a character in a sitcom except it's wasting your time.

I think the only solution is to charge a consulting fee to "look at the idea" which scares away the amateurs. After all if you aren't willing to spend $1k for me to evaluate your "idea" then you aren't serious any way.