I think you're exactly right. I learned my way around computers as a kid because I wanted to do the same stuff that kids today want to do. Play games, prank my brother, talk to random people online. And I just followed that thread until it got me what I wanted. That thread involved some basic shell programming, learning what IRQs are, the difference between TCP/IP and IPX and what they did, how to setup the modem so call waiting wouldn't interrupt the connection, dealing with the rather technical nature of early IRC, usenet, BBSs. I wasn't trying to learn computers, it just happened along the way, and pursuing the same goals today won't teach you anything along the way.