Sometimes it's tempting to convert the server to a whitelist system running on a pure Minecraft server with no Bukkit update delays. 
I belive the correct wording would be "Try it, I dare you".
Followed by "Now explain to everyone why the old world is lost to them forever unless they get a broken version from Trashman, why none of their Runes work anymore, why the server lags up a storm when anyone walks into JC's town, Why there is no more DynMap, Why no one can ever be caught for griefing if it happens, why no griefing can be reversed, why the Fenris is no longer protected and spawns mobs everywhere, why no chests are safe, why the Ender dragon doesn't come back, why they can't make a bunch of items anymore, and why they can no longer set or use Homes."
Yeah, I know, I know...
Although whitelisting the server would basically resolve any of the griefing-related reasons... which isn't much. 
Moot point anyway, Server is now 1.6.2. Lets hope the dev builds of certain plugins (and bukkit itself) are in a good mood.
Well, See, I get to call BS now. If it was anywhere near as hard as you say, Minecraft modding would be near impossible.
It's not. It's easy.
So I don't want to hear any "Boo hoo, it takes forever to get this readable"... No. We get Day-1 updates for mods that modify (not add, replace existing) class files. Hell, we get ones that are Day-1 updates on snapshots. There's nothing "Hard" about it.
Oh, and saying "Well they can't use that code"... Duh. That doesn't mean they can't get a heads up about what's changing. They do it on a weekly basis for snapshots anyway (It's called a changelog). Of cource, it could actually be partly used in Bukkit for the same reason all those mods that modify Mojang's Class files are allowed. Or should they all be arrested for using non-open source code? Some of them even make a profit off it.
Comparing modding the minecraft client, or a portion of the server is not in the same arena as recreating the server in an open source form.
As for the heads up part, they do... by the same methods that all the mod makers get them. Tweets from Dinnerbone and Jeb and seeing what's different in the current snapshot.
Again, modding an existing class is worlds apart from recreating the entire multiplayer server while adding a plugin API from obfuscated code, when they have no support from Mojang and have to do it, more or less, blind to keep from violating copyright laws.
If it's as easy as you claim, they why not contribute to the project, or start your own?
The only problem with your argument is
they already have a server code base.If a Horse is added, you do not rebuild the entire server. You add an AI, you add hooks for that new AI, and you add the needed networking component (if any, it's just an NPC/Entity), and you call it a day. All of which you should already have the framework for, because you have other Entities already. The update should take maybe a few hours at the most. This is seen in the fact they have Dev builds out reasonably quickly, but do not get Beta (let alone recomended builds) for a long time.
Things that would kill a server update are things like netcode overhaul.
That would hurt. Fortunately, we have not seen one in a long long time, and even if there was one you can watch the network for that info.
So please stop with this "They need to read obfusticated code" nonsense. If they were stupid enough to rebuild an entire server from scratch every time it would take them years, not weeks. They do not (and should not) give even the slightest crap about any minor tweaks Mojang does. They have their own Server code, which will do things very differently, to worry about and keep updated and the only question is compatability.
If you want to belive that they actually read all of Mojang's code and rewrite it all themselves every time, then be my guest, but that is not how
anyone does things.
I gotta say, hoppers, droppers, and comparators sure make resource farming fun again.
I added an array of hoppers at the bottom of the mob farm (teleporter sig is 4 mossy cobblestone) that feed into a chest right there. There's also an ender chest there as well. Oh, and I also made a simple Blaze farm in the nether, with a portal right next to it. The companion portal in the overworld is in the top of a jungle tree, so I built a teleport pad there just for it. Sig is, I believe, 4 nether brick. If not, you can find teleporters to get there from my island.
Creative useage. And as a Server Admin, I'm honestly not mad with this solution. You should still need to be in the general vacinity for it to operate, but there should not be hundreds of mob and item entities floating around killing the server becasue it should more or less clean itself up. Or at least I hope it does.
