You can learn quite a bit from just the Internet, a bit of ambition, and a willingness to say "I don't know, but I will figure it out." Sure, there are foundational concepts that you will miss, but I haven't noticed their absence yet. Besides, if I'm missing some kind of CS knowledge I will buy the book, ask the web, and take the heat. I'm sure college is great, but is it necessary in this field, at this time? My personal experience says no. I'm not the best dev, and I have some things to learn, but so do the guys with papers.