The bitcoind 'gen=0' setting - implications? I have read that when running a simple standalone instance of 'bitcoind', you should generally use 'gen=0', since it's highly unlikely you'll ever mine a block on your own.

What I don't fully understand is how this relates to transaction procssing.

If I use 'gen=0', does that mean I have no hope of getting transaction fees, either?

In other words, with 'gen=0', is my client not really participating in processing transactions at all?

Is block mining (to generate new bitcoins) a somehow separate process from processing transactions?
"gen" is by default 0 (off), so you should not really need to specify "gen=0" anywhere.

"gen" will generate bitcoins (mining), but you should only do this if you know what you are doing (you probably want to mine in a pool, and use proper tuned hardware/software).

And yes, you will only get transaction fees if you mine a block.