His point was that the quality of open-source software tends to go up, while major closed-source projects' declines. Profit margin and quality don't always correlate, especially in software.
The ribbon was yet another dramatic change that was long overdue. Everybody loves it once they 'get it'.
Anyway, the parent post claims windows has got better and you say "no, it was bad now it's been improved" - that's not debatable that's you agreeing.
Django is about you making a web framework that makes your/other's life easier. Also doing good stuff, being in control, getting recognition, and what better resume than "I am the lead developer on the Django project"?
In the corporate world its more about making money, not getting fired, people thinking up better ways to make money with what you already have, using your talent to make money, in fact the only reason to create anything in the corporate world is either to better make money or to save money on something that currently costs more money than building + using would cost.
Granted there are exceptions, like 37signals, but they got maaaaaaaaajor recognition for ruby on rails, and that is in itself making them money, or getting them tallent (which helps them make money).