First off, jamescardona great job, I know you have been working on this a long time and at the end of the day, as long as you are happy with it and enjoying it, that is what matters most.
I don't think James is doing this is about money. As pointed out, not like hundreds of these are going to be sold, but I think it is about sharing what he has done so others can enjoy his work. Selling kits makes its much easier for others since they don't have to go source displays computers, speakers, set up a computer to run the framework and software (which can take hours), etc. Also not doing kits would just create even more support issues for him in helping folks getting this up and running. Given his time and effort in developing this and then making the kits, he is making little to no profit on this, unless you think getting 25 cents an hour on all of his hard word is a cashing in big. He is clearly doing it for the love of the hobby.
I'm sure James knew he needed a thick skin to offer this up on pinside, so hopefully he is ignoring the negativity of some posts, but I'm sure he is listening to the well thought out feedback and suggestions. He obviously wants this to be as good as it can be, but also true to his vision for it.
While having the ability to easily switch back to the original would be great, the legal and logistical aspects of it make that a huge under taking so I can understand why he has not gone that route, at least for now.
I look forward to getting to play it sometime.