It is not acceptable that there's no separate patch for this, but instead, it has been merged in a complete new version. Not everyone can just upgrade their vBulletin installation due to customization.
You are correct. If you've invested a lot of time modifying your forum then upgrades are almost like dismantling and reassembling your entire site.
You are correct. If you've invested a lot of time modifying your forum then upgrades are almost like dismantling and reassembling your entire site.
Not if you were smart about it. Using tools like Template Modification System (TMS), creating good documentation along the way. Upgrading could be a real pain during the early vB4 releases, I agree - but you really should not run those anyway, bugwise. But if you have file edits that make overwriting the original files of the same version a real pain, then you're most likely doing it wrong. Given the plugin system there is not much need for file edits, but if you do them, keep them properly documented and use diff tools.