Sometimes I think, as you rightly say, that a lot of modern innovations are simply rediscovered utilities rewritten with a glitzy UI, community program, and optional monthly billed support!

One of the things I like to push is that a knowledge of fundamentals is essential as they're such a great building block for literally everything else - basic algorithmic concepts, types, arrays, bitwise operations, command line tools, Unix and the like are the giants whose shoulders we all stand on.

Windows for me has never been a development option, it's always felt uncomfortable like an ill fitting coat that's just too tight when you try to move. At least they're moving toward Linux at last...