#1: ".5. Avoid, like the plague, any "I have an idea for a web app" jobs."
You won't get any respect, although if this is the best you can do for now, make damned sure you get immediate remuneration. Anyone offering the "I have a great idea but no money" proposition almost certainly isn't bringing anything to the table. If they've successfully executed in times past they ought to be bringing some money to the table, ought to have a least one techie they can lean on, even if informally/part time, etc.; you'll recognize such people as exceptions.
Option #1 just sounds impractical and is likely to be bad for you (e.g. your professionalism, future job prospects (not something you'll like to put on your resume), etc.).
As for option: "2. Equity. But I don't think you can just answer a job ad on craigslist and say I work for 30 bucks an hour and a piece of the action, or can you?"
I don't know how many of these exist, but the odds you'll realize anything serious from equity compensation in a company like this are nowadays very small. Even if the business guys have the bet of intentions and are honorable, big exits just aren't in the card for all but the most exceptional companies.
The rest of the options should be judged on a case by case basis, but you'll be better off if you can find more realistic people to work with.
You won't get any respect, although if this is the best you can do for now, make damned sure you get immediate remuneration. Anyone offering the "I have a great idea but no money" proposition almost certainly isn't bringing anything to the table. If they've successfully executed in times past they ought to be bringing some money to the table, ought to have a least one techie they can lean on, even if informally/part time, etc.; you'll recognize such people as exceptions.
Option #1 just sounds impractical and is likely to be bad for you (e.g. your professionalism, future job prospects (not something you'll like to put on your resume), etc.).
As for option: "2. Equity. But I don't think you can just answer a job ad on craigslist and say I work for 30 bucks an hour and a piece of the action, or can you?"
I don't know how many of these exist, but the odds you'll realize anything serious from equity compensation in a company like this are nowadays very small. Even if the business guys have the bet of intentions and are honorable, big exits just aren't in the card for all but the most exceptional companies.
The rest of the options should be judged on a case by case basis, but you'll be better off if you can find more realistic people to work with.