I reckon I noted an increased number of product commercials featured in the Blender Siggraph 2012 show reel, over that 2011 one, too...

There is not enuff hours in a day to make comics.
If I could buy time...

Blender has a lot of power but I would not say it's the fastest ,I never know about there GoZ.

thread title got me to thinking, as a hobbiest, lately i've been procrastinating on projects or not following through to finishing something. 

i didn't use to do that, making stuff - for like, the luv of challenges - was a relaxing way to enjoy the weekend.

wm brushing feels more tedious than relaxing.

and the SR's, do you have to test your content creations now in poser with and without sr's to make sure it works?

I think there can be more to a hobbyist than just doing something for enjoyment. Some people like to tackle the most complicated and frustrating things imaginable just to see if it can be done. I remember a study, (sponsored by the Federal Reserve), that focused on something nearly inexplicable to those who are driven exclusively by the finanicial motive, the fact that some software engineers in their spare time create useful programs and distribue them for free. The conclusion was that intelligent people may enjoy the process of engaging in a difficult task. Of course, there was the added proviso that you "shouldn't pay these people too much or it might discourage them" but that was predictable given the source.

While creating Poser content is infinitely less useful, there can be a similar factor at work here.

Quote - ...the fact that some software engineers in their spare time create useful programs and distribue them for free. The conclusion was that intelligent people may enjoy the process of engaging in a difficult task.

Ask Bagginsbill why he's been giving away shaders for years and posting in forums to educate users, despite the huge amount of time both of these endeavors involves. It surely wasn't in order to prove his cred so that he could become a best selling vendor. But I have trouble seeing the work he produces as being that of a "mere hobbyist" just because (with the exception of his recent contributions to the marketplace) we don't pay for it.

Bagginsbill is definitely professional grade.

As a consumer of 3d products I would say the difference between a hobbyist and a professional is that a professional knows their market and how to satisfy it and a hobbyist produces output that meets another purpose.  To put it down to quality is missing the point. Sorry to be cynical, quite happy to be proved wrong.

A difference between the hobbyist and the pro

One difference is the fact they tend to have more time to spend in Poser because they are motivated to make money. I've been trying to get back into Poser for several months now, but life seems to get in the way and I can't justify letting life matters slide in favour of getting onto the computer.  Just when things seem to start to settle down, something happens to make it chaotic again :(