"Please consider supporting the Slackware project by picking up a copy of the Slackware 13.37 release from the Slackware Store. The discs are off to replication, but we're accepting pre-orders for the official 6 CD set and the DVD."
I really think they lost the plot.
That Pat is encouraging people to still buy the CDs means either Slackware users haven't moved on or Pat hasn't.
Now, to address your point about encouraging buying the DVD or not, I think you should view that from the marketing point of view. He offers software. There are no licenses involved, and you can download the DVD from many high quality mirrors. Still, he needs money to continue the project. Apart from praising the product, how does he market it and get people to pay for it? I think it's much better and professional to offer a pressed DVD in a jewel case, in exchange for money, than asking for donations or something similar. Even if it's less green.
Disclaimer: after years using Slackware, I got a subscription to the DVD when I got my first full-time job. I also think it's nice to receive the DVD from time to time, and I've used the DVD as a rescue and installation disk occasionally. You don't know when it can be handy to have it.
It was my first Linux OS desktop and I lived with it for about a year. It's not impossible for a non-initiate to just dive in, if he is not afraid of the command line.
The relevant logic is in /etc/rc.d/rc.sysvinit .
I have fond memories of the empowerment from having a Unix machine in my dorm room.
