It won't end vB, but will end vB as we know it.
I have said before and stand by my prediction that the powers that be will see vB not as a revenue source, but as a simple system to generate more ad revenue.
IB's buying of Jelsoft was a smart one since they had so many communities, the renewal fees had to be way up there. Buying them, and then having the sale of vb 4.0 I am sure they are close to breaking even and will be EOL as far as the public goes with the software.
They will continue to use it in house, but in the next 2-3 years you will see if disappear from the user aspect.. we won't ever see a vB 6.0
Just my opinion...
Jamie