I agree that is an invalid categorical assertion. To make it explicit: I learned to program (quite well, I hope) on top of closed platforms. However, I suspect

I agree that is an invalid categorical assertion. To make it explicit: I learned to program (quite well, I hope) on top of closed platforms. However, I suspect that I would have learned faster, better, and more completely by working with open source platforms. My perspective on code has changed dramatically since I've embraced reading other people's code. As an aside: although my integration work is "low-level", I do not get the opportunity to make changes or additions to the shipping VS bits. I can only file bugs and plead my case. I can't call secret APIs, nor do I gain any special powers other than the weight an @microsoft.com email address carries. I'm developing against the closed platform as all our partners, and non-partner customers.