I'll take full blame for having started this whole thing even though chx was the first to post it. I brought up being able to have more influence over core modules between major releases because of previously encountered instances of "Features don't get implemented outside of a major release, eg D7 will have new features but D6 will always be about bug fixes." In particular, I mentioned the aggregator module and the inability to change the sort order of the feeds. I am in full support of anything that will make Drupal more attractive to the general masses. Being able to add features between major releases is something that I think would do this. It would help to attract people to core since they would then have the knowledge that a patch might actually have a chance of being accepted in the next two months instead of the next two years. Maintaining stability is a huge thing, more than supporting my little request. This also means that anyone who takes on maintainership of a core module would need to be willing to commit to keeping the code in line with core standards. I think those persons, including myself, who are making this request and recommendation are willing to do that. And if we're not, then we shouldn't be making such a request.