For the record, I also don't plan to write my own OS or compiler.

And just for the record, I find writing from scratch to be a huge learning experience (and can be a huge waste of time); I may someday try out using libraries, but I think the only reason I would love to use a library is when it is a library I made myself.
And, as you stated about the OS thingy, depending on how good I get with programming, I might attempt an OS when I'm 25, but lets see who beats me at it
I hate Windows 8.