This is a good theme - I have arguments with a friend regarding being 'self taught' as a musician - becuase he often says that about his cousin who is an outstanding player - The thing is i dont beleive there is any such thing as self taught - I became good at guitar and had i suppose a couple of hours formal lessons - but that really does not count for much - the majority of my learning has come from jamming with mates, being amongst like minded folk, swapping ideas etc etc, And it is exactly the same with programming i feel - You cannot be constantly in an environment where you have lessons - can you?? maybe you can, but there has to be that time where you are just learning anyway, because it is an interest of yours, something you are into - without that interest i dont think you can really progress
