Operating System Design

Where do you guys learn to design new OS’s or get your ideas from? I’m
following two operating systems that are emerging from beta (QNX
Neutrino (RTP Public Beta), and MacOS X Public Beta), and I find that
they are doing some similar things with XML, and such. Is this stuff
coming out of the Engineering schools, or are you learning it at some
online resource, or what? Inquiring minds want to know! lol

I got my BS in Comp Sci and Math back in 84, and I’m wondering if all
the neat stuff that you guys are doing might be something I could learn
by going back to update my education. Or, if you are making it up as
you go, God bless you!

Scott