Lets look in our crystall ball

There r now already many patches with same, overlapping functionality. The database is like maxobjects.com not really "browsable" anymore, it will get much bigger. U search a device, sort by # of downloads/rating, test it, switch to another maybe if not satisfied, or make ur own. Standardization seems a pretty vague term to me, dont know actually how one can see some kind of it in 100s of pretty different patches in different categories. Whats ur point here?
I mean rating sytems seem to me know pretty common if u look on android/ipad apps sites, karma system in webforum, rating on kvr.
Also if i have to chose between standardization and competition, i choose last. Any m4l newbie will likely upload a slightly modification of a similar patch as the code can be copied contrary to apps, so if u dont want too lose completely the overview in a copy/paste dump u have to establish a kind of judgment/feedback system.
Also keep in mind, advanced & experienced users want a platform where good apps can get a higher popularity than in a simple table like database. There is already the trend that some m4l patches are not opensource, max fuel e.g. I WANT that experienced users developing in their free time besides job have a stimulant to develop patches not only to thier very personal workflow and needs, but also bear in mind how other LIVE users will or might use this patch. So they will implement a small documentation, or switch/option possibilities, more general algorithms and so on. Afaik u read my thread about audio to midi, this i a very tricky and time consuming if u want to achieve reasonable results for diff. audio inputs and minimum latency. For free, nobody will code a basic patch like this, as there are no free vst with good quality. Personally i might be inclined to generalize a patch if i can charge a little amount for it similar to a appstore. ppl r willing to pay. I dont see why m4l should go a other way then vst, apps,... there are free, commercial. High quality u get from some smart kids with enough time, but that will happen rarely.
As i think about this, i would be intersted to know how many active(developing) and passive m4l users there are

Tempus3r can u give out a number, how many registered uploaders u have on maxforlive.com and how many registered at all? Did u change the download precondition (logged in)?