I'm really not sure what you think I'm arguing here. The situation I have with Ubuntu+ppas is satisfactory to me, and it is also anecdotal evidence that "leave

I'm really not sure what you think I'm arguing here. The situation I have with Ubuntu+ppas is satisfactory to me, and it is also anecdotal evidence that "leave it to the maintainers" (asserted by the OP) is not a complete solution to real problems (my assertion).