Erik,

From what i read on this board there are plenty of hobbyists and students in attendance (Check out the logic probe thread). The mix on this board is part of what makes it interesting.

I have no arguments but, perhaps, some observations regarding your points:

1) I write from the viewpoint of professional design methods.

Meaning design methods prefered by people who get payed to design or statistically demonstrated current industry standards?

2) How does one identify an amateur vesus an employee.

Amateurs are not payed. Employees should be.


3) Does most amateurs not "dream" of becoming professionals

Ok, you are potentially "out on a limb" here. I believe amateurs have a wide spectrum of reasons to be doing what they are doing. If i were to go out on the limb next door to yours i would guess to achieve some specific project goal (i.e. home brew MP3 player that fits under the shower tray).
I doubt that amateurs really have any engineering career goals in mind.


4) If 3 is true, should we direct amateurs to take routes they must discard when becoming professionals.

I would advise a case by case consideration here. I really don't think implementing a i8255 to construct a "Pine Wood Derby" Race Timer and Flag waver is straying far from the path of rightousness.

Now implementing it as a flux detector for a Tokamak safety device might be another case.

regards,
p