Not everything can be done out of the box. Just because your $80, 000 car can go at 200 mph doesn't mean everyone else on the roads can. SMF is even for those little buggies that still only go a max of 50 mph. (aka IIS.)
-[Unknown]
when i was using YaBB perl edition, i had to change to a server that offers mysql in order to even try YaBB SE. if people are serious about getting their site indexed, and creating jillions of links back here to SMF, it's their responsibility to use the right equipment. you could always make a switch in modsettings that enables or disables the url mod.
he already did, pege, you can already change the url format from the settings
if you don't like the format he chose, you will probably be able to change it without much trouble, since the engine for doing the change is already there
I'll anyway write a mod to make it a bit easier for those that do want a different format but don't know how to do it
about the server, it's true that one should be able to choose the best option, but not everyone can, for many reasons, so he's trying to give as good a solution as possible, that'll help in most configurations