I think stealth mode is not just for the fear of your idea to get stolen, there are a few good reasons IMHO to start quiet in the first stage: 1) You may signi

I think stealth mode is not just for the fear of your idea to get stolen, there are a few good reasons IMHO to start quiet in the first stage: 1) You may significantly change what you are doing once you actually started working. Maybe you start with a backup company and ends with a file transfers for the masses. 2) People eventually start to get bored about hearing just words without the ability to try what you have to offer. Probably at the release there will be less excitement... so the stealth mode is a good idea IMHO until there is yet not some non-vaporware thing to show. 3) In the first strage of a startup you will likely get crazy with a lot of work. Managing the communication is a very time consuming task, it's better to delay this as much as possible, that is, when you are starting to actually have users. 4) Stealth does not mean that people should not be aware at all of your existence. Actually to have the brand, logo, and a very general idea of what you are doing (just the field: databases, social things, ...) can be good and sometimes absolutely required in order to try hiring other programmers and so forth. Once you have a minimally viable product is definitely time to release it ASAP: users feedbacks and pressure will be invaluable.