If by access to a professor, you mean someone who knows the material extremely well and can help you with questions or steer you in the right direction, you can get that for free from IRC.
I've been leeching off my friends' college educations for years, and although I'd agree that it would be impossible to learn some things (like advanced programming topics) strictly from books, someone who knows the material and exactly how to explain things to me is just as good as a traditional instructor.
It's also better training for the real world, where I don't have time to take a course on everything I need to know.
i agree. btw it's possible to get actual professors to give you advice and help learning stuff, if you contact them and ask interesting questions, or make friends with them.
I've been leeching off my friends' college educations for years, and although I'd agree that it would be impossible to learn some things (like advanced programming topics) strictly from books, someone who knows the material and exactly how to explain things to me is just as good as a traditional instructor.
It's also better training for the real world, where I don't have time to take a course on everything I need to know.