The more I read, the more I realize that Joel has it all figured out. I only wish I could use the "Aha! This precisely proves my point!" argument more...
In fact, I even requested a copy of the Programmer's Paradise catalog simply because he said he was going to write a column of it (the last one didn't have his column yet - dammit!).
So, Joel, if you're reading this - have any job openings? :)