I just think they are here more for monetary gain than to assist others

Profit is not a dirty word.

• It pays to employ people.
• It pays their mortgages and their medical insurance.
• It delivers taxes that are used to fund governments. Which means hospitals, schools, (and perhaps more relevant in this case) colleges and universities.

If it wasn't for the profits Pair make by selling their services, this site probably wouldn't exist.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

I doubt merlyn would rank me amongst his friends, but he is a seriously knowledgable Perl practitioner, and goes out of his way to ensure that even the articles he writes to earn a living are made available to anyone who care to go looking--for free.

I've had more than a few run-ins with him, and do not agree with everything he says, but that does not prevent me from reading everything he writes and learning something new everytime. He is worthy of anyone's respect if they do anything with Perl--and he has mine. He makes a living from Perl--maybe even a good living--and more power to his elbow for doing so.