I have an increasingly successful linux website, and am working on starting a PHP based site as well.

I am looking at the possibility of a "partnership" with someone else [THIS POST IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT!] who would help with:
1) development
2) maintainence
3) marketing
4) promotion
5) Generating revenue

in exchange for a share of the advertising revenue.

Essentially They would be a webmaster of my sites (as well as me).

My sites are developed in my spare time they are not a "business", just a hobby that generates a bit of extra cash. I have a full time job weekdays as a programmer for an ISP, and a part time job on Saturdays, so my time is limited.

I feel the sites can make more money if i can put some more time into developing them. Hence i am looking at the possibility of finding someone to help out with the day-to-day running due to limitations on my own time.

My Questions:
a) Can anyone share there experiences in similiar situations/partnerships?
b) Opinions? Is this a good/bad idea? Why?
c) How can i watch my back and ensure i dont get ripped?
d) What if it goes bad? eg, the person i select is lazy, can i just "sack" them without being dragged through the courts?
d) Other thoughts/comments?

Thanks,

Jason

Any time you get a partner you are taking a risk. If it is a friend it can completely screw up the friendship. If you do go with a partnership make sure you clearly define everything in writing. The positive is you are sharing the risk and liability with someone else.