To TS, I think really alot of pros and advance hobbyists has given good advice from their bottom of their heart no matter what they sounds likes.
Sometimes when the basic of the photography (or technology) is not clear yet, its advisable not to dive into photography equipment investment. Like ISO, aperture, shutter speed, IS or VR, crop factor all this kind of things. Need to do some basic research before investing in one equipment. No doubt it is your own money, but I am pretty sure you want to get you money worth spending in terms on economic downturn now.
Same as "Is VR or IS important?" question. This sort of question is same as egg or chick first. No one really know the answer only Mother Earth knows. Cause user after knowing what they want and need in photography, then they will know it is important to them. Same as after using you own equipment for sometime, you will know what is your want(s) or need(s) or both in the next upcoming purchase.
Meantime, IMHO, I suggest you stick to using the P&S first and hone you skills. When you think the camera is limiting you in your photo taking capabilities, then invest in a DSLR. Now DSLR is getting smaller and smaller. Maybe by the time you have master the technique, the DSLR is probably slightly bigger then P&S. E.g: Panasonic G1 vs Canon G10. And the price tag too. :bsmilie:
Honestly I purchased a second hand 20D recently from a senior. I do get blurry picture despite using "fast" prime lens. It is not the DSLR fault, just probably my skills or settings knowledge is not there yet as I also upgraded from a prosumer. I have seen people using the same model 20D and same (kit) lens I am using but they do take magnificent pictures, be it post Photoshop or not. But at least when people and senior guide me, the basic term the used in conversation I understand them. Hence it will be more efficient in using the camera and setting it. Thus its up to individual skills to handle and manage the camera to capture the moment they want.
Hope by now you do have in mind what you wanted.
Just my 2 cents worth. No offence or pun intended.
P.S: Camera is just a light box. It captures light spectrum to form an image.