>...
>There have been articles written in the journals about showing our worth as professionals. By doing so, and keeping abreast of the best tools we can use, we can keep ourselves in demand. ...

Professional disciplines are usually distinguish by a couple of characteristics:
1. They have a well defined college curriculum with advanced degrees. (we have that)
2. They have certification tests administered by a state and federally recognized board. (we don't have that)
3. They have to have a license, state and/or federal, to practice. (We don't have that)
4. They have to take upgrade instruction and recertification exams on a regular basis (we don't have that. Certification processes by various software companies usually degenerate to profit centers.)
5. They have standards of practice that are strictly enforced. (we don't have that)
6. When standards are broken licenses can be revoked. (we don't have that)
7. Practicing without a license is a felony. (spiggettie code is felonious)

All these things don't prevent bad lawyers, doctors, architects and accountants, but it supplies a yardstick against which they can be measured and relief, if necessary, can be sought.

Jerry