Over the years I have used several of MaxBlogPress's WP plugins (especially in the early days whilst I was getting a grip on functions, php and hooks) and found them to be reliable, well maintained and fulfilled a clear and useful function. It's a shame that the author never acknowledged the complaints that surfaced as a result of the persistent and sly marketing style by removing the forced opt-in mechanism.

I think it's paramount that WP enforce the "rules of engagement" and would welcome a much stricter policy as to what gets accepted into the repository.

I totally agree with the removal of such plugins from the repository - but I can't help feel a tinge sad that a great contributor to WP (via his plugins) has been ostracised from the community.

R