I take your point Chris, I was perhaps a little over-reacting, as I say, mention of these methods is not an issue for me if made in conjunction with cautionary advice. Perhaps I shouldn't have assumed you were encouraging such methods, but perhaps it's a valid point on it's own that I did.
I don't entirely agree with the two points you make though.
2. I have seen posts on this forum where these software hacks have not been reversible and have resulted in essentially dead units.
1. Imagine the position from Apples point of view rather than your own for a minute. You have done something to your purchase which Apple does not intend you to do to it, but they are expected to exchange it or restore it at their own expense, maybe I'm unusual but that doesn't sound very reasonable to me.