Here's a much better approach: use IRC. I've successfully recruited dozens of exceptional individuals through IRC and am surprised that it's not often used for

Here's a much better approach: use IRC. I've successfully recruited dozens of exceptional individuals through IRC and am surprised that it's not often used for recruitment. Networks like freenode are filled with amazing individuals who are quite amenable to interesting startups. Even with my first company back in '99, when I didn't even know how to code, I found that the developers hired through IRC performed magnitudes better than the ones who came through more traditional hiring processes. Just hang out for a few months in the IRC channels of open source projects that you find relevant; get to know the various individuals; once you find someone that you believe you can work well with, engage them about joining your venture. Easy, effective and the social bond even lasts for years afterwards.