The same sort of approach also applies to things that don't
have "traditional" user-interfaces -- eg, creating an API
another programmer might have to "use" -- even though
the END user never is aware of it.

No argument. If you want to see how I feel an API should be documented, let
me know and I'll send you something I wrote at Microsoft.


Yes, understood. It makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint
(since you can load the firmware "late" in the manufacturing
process). I am just surprised that they were making this
available to the "end user". (as it adds a maintenance cost)

Other than posting the files on the Website, it costs Sony nothing. You
download the ZIP file, expand it, then burn a CD with the content. Sony will
give you the update on a CD, but I've never checked to see if they charge.