Very true. I remember back when I was coming out of school many of the interviewers asking why I went into the CS field and each was happy to hear it was because I enjoyed it and not becuase I thought I could get rich. Apparently many of the other canidates were after the money. I got offers from each place I interviewed so apparently the "love" is what employers are looking for.
Steve: Yeah, I agree. Sadly, I think today it's mostly for the wrong reasons. A programmer who does what he does out of *love* , would usually take a pay cut more easily because "it's not about the money", or is willing to do interesting technical work for initial less pay. Sad but true.
When people say "I can't believe they pay me to do this" an employer just might take that literally!
It all depends on the situation - take Bill Clinton for instance :)
Absolutely, I do what I do becuase I really do enjoy it. At the same time I'll fight to make sure I get paid what I deserve. Does that make me a money grubber and void my "I do it for the love" claim?
Steve: No it does not, but it *will*,sadly, make you less attractive as an employee to a lot of short-sighted employers. Not that I don't fight for my pay as well, I just fight less :(