I think if any single reason were to percolate to the top of my list, it would be that Pixar offers views into two different industries: film and software—which is pretty hard to get from the usual software job. Along the same lines, other studios don't seem to do as serious software work, so it's a great place for a computer graphics software geek like me. Also, the work environment played a big role. Pixar is not a gloomy cubicle farm like so many companies (seen Office Space?) but a bright, happy place full of well-adjusted people. Though this company is older than I am, I feel like it has retained a
vibrant, youthful spirit.