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in this case would a programmer with a day job that also hacks on linux in their free time be a professional at work and an amateur on anything they do independently? Or really any sort of engineer, contractor, person who makes stuff, etc?

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Just my interpretation: that programmer is a professional. They are paid to do programing. They are still professional even when they are working on their hobby project, because it is not a function if they are paid for that particular code, but if they are paid for any coding at all.

If that programer would go and coach their friend’s basketball team for free they would be an amateur coach, but they are still a professional programmer even while coaching.

I agree - and in that case I'd bet a lot of Linux and open source etc is written by professionals to some degree that's likely significant.

Yes, they wouldn't be considered doing the Linux stuff in a professional capacity.

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