It's worth pointing out that ad_parameter does something really useful that parameter::get does not. Namely, it lets you override package parameters in a text file.
We don't want to loose this, it's there because people have found it useful. Andrew's pointed out one case where this is true. I think it was CR Oldham who made this work but could be wrong, what I do remember was it was discussed in public and people wanted the functionality.
So incremental improvements are good, but removing functionality that people want is not an improvement. Can someone assign themselves the ask of making parameter::get honor text file params ala ad_parameter?
Or convince me (and apparently Andrew and undoubtably others) that we really don't want this functionality?
As far as coding standards being good ... yes, they are. That's why we've got the "20 do and don't" thread going.
