Thank you both for the fast replies. I appreciate it. I guess I have a decision to make. Ultimately, I'm trying to build something with some complex features.

Thank you both for the fast replies. I appreciate it. I guess I have a decision to make. Ultimately, I'm trying to build something with some complex features. It seems it might, as willpower put it, eventually outpace his ability to consume and learn fast enough. It isn't business-y as much as it is an internet platform for a lot of users (social network aspects, but not a social network persay). Bleh. I'm not trying to be stingy with equity or anything by not wanting him on if he can't contribute, but the reason for me thinking of now changing my mind is the following: 1. He's a good friend. I want him to stay that way. If it's truly hard for him to keep up, I don't want to then get need someone better to jump on board later. Then what does he do? 2. Say he doesn't bother doing the technical side. I'm not sure where else he'd fit in terms of skills. He's not terribly artistic/design inclined. And while I don't doubt his business skills, I have immersed myself in business and marketing books, went to school for business, and am far more energetic/passionate as a salesmen. It is why if he did know the technical side, his personality and skills would complement my own. 3. Well... I feel like lists always need at least 3. Unfortunately, I started the numbering before realizing that I didn't have a third thing to say, ha. So, it's actually more just about team dynamics and what he'd even have to do than dealing with equity or something. Since, honestly, I've been doing everything but the back-end side just fine (not progressing quickly as I'd like due to my full time job, but I digress) on my own and expect to continue handling all of that. Oh man. I feel terrible. I was just so excited when I thought about the idea of us working together and finally have a partner who could perhaps handle the technical end. I neglected to fully realize how difficult a role I was putting in his hands as someone with no technical experience. One last thing. Since as of now it seems like I made the wrong decision and want to back out of it. Would you think this is a reasonable thing to say: I'm sorry to say this, but I was thinking more about the ability for either of us to learn to code the back-end and I think it'd be tough to get up to speed fast enough starting from scratch like this. And all our other strengths overlap, so it'd be hard to really split roles up, so I don't think it's a good idea to partner up on this. You seemed excited about starting something and why not keep with it, even it's not with this idea? Just brainstorm some ideas on your own, bounce them off me, and still go through with it. We can help each other along the way. I don't know. I'll say something like that to him. Let me know if it comes off terrible. Since I feel terrible.