I agree with jcr - I used NeXT computers in the early 90's. The proof is what Tim Berner-Lee had to say on the first link that jcr supplied.

*IF* you go the route that fyngyrz is talking about, you NEED a bonded/certified electrician to perform the work. If not, and there maybe any problems later which could cause any damage to your home - the insurance company will NOT pay!

I think @kdawson has gotten some good advise. The one thing that he hasn't told us, is what type of of programming he has his heart set on and how the big the company he is currently working for and how profitable the company is. I see several routes that @kdawson can take. (A) Try (as has been suggested) to take on more responsibility, that usually gets managments eye and then you can move on to better projects or be able to ask for specific projects. (B) If the company his is working for is large and he has tried (A) then go looking for a smaller company that he can do more! The smaller the company the more responsibilty (i.e. more coding opportunities). (C) Also as has been suggested - try helping out with an OpenSource project or create your own project/application on the side. Or try to find something that the company you are working for really needs and develop it! (D) Get involved in a development networking group in the town where you live. (E) As has been suggested - ask your school to help out - or go back to school. To @Ethanol-fueled - I disagree. After you graduate it is up to you to make of yourself what you want. If you don't know how, then you ask (like @kdawson is doing here) to get yourself better informed - always weigh the advise you get with good common sense.