[stevenwiles]

> A CS degree can prevent you from making a lot of obvious (if you have a CS degree) and costly mistakes.

That is just wrong. A degree is just a piece of paper. How is a piece of paper going to prevent you from making mistakes? It won't.

What you mean to say was this:

> Any intelligent person with reasonable CS knowledge will be able to work without making a lot of obvious and costly mistakes

I hope I've taught you something. :)