Third party repositories
The reason that I work on a third party repository is simple: it contains things that are not suitable for inclusion in Ubuntu, for a variety of reasons. If you browse through it, you’ll see what I mean. Only one package you find there (mirage) is suitable for inclusion in Ubuntu and Brandon is already working on that 
what about making a community maintained central “non-free” repository which the user can trust?
I think that sometimes is ncessary since some people maitained their repos with newer packages, by the way when is your repo going to have packages for 64 architecture
You do miss the point a little though. Your repository is well known and you handle it in a rather responsible and open way. Lucas’ critique seemed to me to be focused more on random rogue repositories being added to, or recommended for, the sources.lists of new users who think they simply want the latest no matter what.
I don’t see how they’re a “PITA” when handled with common sense. I only recall seeing one or two bugs in Malone filed against unofficial packages. Also, whats wrong with people fulfilling the need that the backports team is simply incapable of or not willing to do? Of course, adequate disclaimers are always appropriate on the part of the repo maintainer. Hopefully, prevu will make my backporting efforts completely obsolete anyway.