It's astonishing how some DDF chasidim are so blinded by admiration that they can't see this site for what it is: a business like all others.
Not blinded by admiration, and I absolutely see it as a business. I'm reminded of that every time that my phone buzzes with a Twitter alert that I can save $1 on an Amazon Gold Box Monopoly Game!
But I firmly believe that this is much more than just a business to Dan. It was started as a hobby, meant to share his passion for travel and travel deals with the members of the interweb, without a long-term profit plan, and if I have to guess, without any wild idea that this hobby would one day be a full time job and support two families. The fact that this has actually gone on to become all that doesn't change the fact that Dan is helping people and doing what he can to bring benefit to those who follow.
In business, there are those who get by, and those who go above and beyond in order to make me, their customer, have the best experience that I can. Yes it's good business, and yes they benefit as well, but quite frankly, who in this world ever does anything without some sort of personal interest? (Even when that interest is as simple as the good feeling you get from helping someone.) This morning a gate agent bumped me up to a better (read: paid) seat this morning for free. Yes this is good business because the airline that he works for now has a customer with a good experience under their belt, but at the same time, he went above and beyond what he had to do, and therefore I appreciated it. Every action has motivation attached to it, but if that action benefits me, then I am thankful.
I can't say that I am a true 'chasid' of Dan, as you claim, (not that that's a bad thing), but I have met him briefly on occasions, and from all of my experiences he is a nice guy who enjoys helping people even when there isn't a direct financial incentive, therefore I am thankful to him. That's all.
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