Because this is an open-source community -- all logistical issues aside (after all, one need not _be_ a developer to sign up as one and recieve the account/key/etc. required to access the dev repo), it simply goes against community values to have a walled-off development environment, and throw only finished apps over the wall to users.

Besides, of course, you're technically right; it isn't they don't want anyone using it, just that they don't want to be in any way responsible for others' use of it, especially for stereotypical end users who don't have a clue how to work around development versions, don't backup to avoid losing important data, and may not know how to reflash.

There is _some_ barrier to entry, such that users can't accidentally add it. But I can't really see how you can add any more barrier than adding the repo yourself without offending huge parts of the community, on both the dev and user sides.

I do run with extras-devel installed all the time. I do look at which repo a new package is coming from, and if I find an unusable version in -devel, I'll downgrade to the original until a newer version shows up. I have only had one or two reboot-loop episodes traceable to -extras stuff (both on Maemo 4.x, FWIW), but as a bit of a mad tinkerer, I find that risk acceptable.

I don't recommend most people run -devel always -- not to sound elitist, but I am pretty good with computers and so likely have a much easier time getting my device back in working order if something goes awry, and more importantly, I willingingly and knowingly accept the risk. Some random person asking "Should I use -devel?" probably doesn't know what they're getting themselves into, and might not understand even if I explained it. So encouraging them with a simple affirmative, or even a brief explanation of the risks could lead to someone getting into serious trouble they didn't realize they were signing up for.

Anyway, most people only want a few apps that only live in -devel, not necessarily unproven updates for all their other apps. So adding -extras, installing what they want, then disabling it, seems like a more responsible recommendation.