If all you bring to the table is an idea, than to be honest, the developer probably doesn't need you.
1 - Our Education. MBA Students from University of Chicago Booth. Ranked top 5 MBA every year. The network is extremely strong and we have all the connections a startup could need.
2 - We have seed $. We can pay you to bang out the MVP in no more than 6 weeks with a nice equity bonus. We are looking for a partner.
3 - We are good guys. We want to make it and we think this is it. Simple as that. Its not this is my idea, do this or do that. The developer will be a partner and have insight and say. We hope to sell and then move on as a team to the next job.
None of these three points say anything about what you bring to the table that the engineer couldn't find anywhere else (ie, domain knowledge, partnerships, distribution, etc). Once you figure that part out, you won't need the NDA, because it would be a bonehead move to try and build it without you. Not to mention, your likelihood of success will go up dramatically.
Just my 2 cents...
NDAs I think aren't so great either, even if a developer passes up, it makes it hard for them to recommend a someone else
If they don't pass it up, it makes it just that bit more stressful having to work very hard for an uncertain reward
Limited equity Some cash, even if it's just a token gesture (get what you pay for) A lot of gratitude Be more open, if developers can talk about your idea you might get people asking to work with or for you
Unless you've got the financial clout to go after anyone who breaches your NDA I'd guess you could hire a whole team of developers full-time. If not, well someone like Apple or Google will drown you in court if your idea really is that ground breaking. :( sad way
As for NDA's we agree. We know its a sensitive subject but NDA's can be terminated once trust is built ;) In the beginning and over the internet (although HN is supposed to be a safe environment) we have made the decision to have NDA's pre beta release. Its really just precautionary measures...kinda like a prenup! We don't suspect anything bad will happen but its there just incase.
What is the right developer?
A lot of start-ups are still looking for that all singing braniac super rock ninja star developer who can program 10 times as fast as everyone else.
But often they aren't willing to pay 10 times as much, or even a reasonable amount.
Keep in mind if you can't afford to pay a developer to work full time, then you need to pay them enough to make sacrificing a large portion of their social and family life in pursuit of seeing your idea succeed.
Also think about how you are pitching the idea. These guys are investors too, they are investing their time, years of experience, wisdom and hard graft into your idea. They need to believe that this will succeed if they push it hard enough.
Worst cases:
Your idea sucks - don't listen to nay-sayers so keep going even if everyone else says it won't work. Dont stop till you are ready too
Your idea is too big - break it into something smaller and more achievable