FGM wrote:
Note that coupling this observation with the trend towards a leaner, more feature-limited core, makes the value proposition of drupal more problematic: if core unbundles features to contrib in order to obtain a better and more performing core, contrib cannot but remain of lower quality, and the overall value to potential users becomes lower between a small and excellent core, and a haphazard mix of contrib modules, only some of which are of quality comparable with core.
Well, this depends a lot on the quality and interest of people helping to maintain contrib. With companies like Acquia staking their company reputation on contrib working, *they* are going to put resources into making sure that contrib quality is higher. Hopefully these resources will lead a community charge and get other resources to help as well. Drupal has done a very good job of working core stuff, but those of us who work primarily in contrib have to work a lot harder to produce a quality product. At least some of us do, but it's a good reason to mistrust all of contrib.