I get what you mean about learning from other people, but I don't think it's as black and white. I think working on FOSS projects with the community can be just

I get what you mean about learning from other people, but I don't think it's as black and white. I think working on FOSS projects with the community can be just as rewarding and educational as working with someone in a similar scenario in a business environment, particularly when it is taken seriously and you leverage the community to better educate yourself in areas you aren't familiar with. I just think it's disingenuous to imply that the only programmers who are better than you (or I) do it as a 9-5 job. Some do it just for fun.