I've always wondered this too. Sure, he's vitriolic but he says right on his blog that it's just an act. He's also contributed a lot to open source so that alone puts him in a totally different class than other writers with a similar style but nothing in the way of added value.

The fact that he took some much of his time and effort to do this shows that he's someone who cares about others.

I just wish he'd care for my eyes a little more and make his site a easier to read.