Rob
If I may refer back to your closing post on the 'Links to Photographers' thread I feel it worth pointing out that Professional photographers are not consigned to the dustbin by any means, it's just that the meaning of 'professional' has changed considerably and clinging on to the more halcyon days of sunny beaches and having your film costs met by the customer is no longer conducive to turning a buck in the business.
Other professions have had to adapt, accountants welcomed accounting programmes that took the slog out of their work and then their customers discovered the spreadsheet for themselves; there are pills and potions available over the counter that help keep us healthier and fitter than ever before so the medical trade has also had to change, gone are the days of whipping the appendix out on the kitchen table and a couple of aspirin for afterwards. IT has changed the face of engineering completely, look at how well made and how complex cars are nowdays, Issigonis designed the Mini on the back of an envelope, wouldn't happen today, and compare the ancient Triumphs of the Meriden co-operative with the Hinckley built bikes in your local showroom now. In fact the only trade that has still managed to retain vestiges of its traditions is law, but they make a living out of being cantankerous so no surprises there.
The time of pro photography just being Newspapers, magazines or the chap on the high street doing weddings and portraits is long gone, there is still money to be made from it and 'professionals', that is, those who do it for money, will still be around but the job has changed, just like everybody else's job has.