Some of us had a similar idea of sharing, and build a powerful community. UNA is very very special. Don't hold back sharing ideas as well. Everything is possible if we are not lazy.
I'm pretty new here too, but has a job to create a social network. There are some very basic things I would like to have, like the Database builder module that Dolphin 8 had and bragged about... (Elbowing Andrew here)...
UNA is one of easiest and most powerful systems. So much,  in fact, That I want an UNA for marriage. Perfect woman.
But UNA does have a learning curve and can be difficult at times. You have to take her to dinner, buy her drinks, etc etc. It will take many many dates and hours to really get your hands on her.
What I think, is that protean should be focused on some more. It can do everything every other template can do. Sometimes this template fever looks a little bit as an easy commercial solution aimed for the lazy ones. Work from the basics and do't spread too thin. That was how Djengis Khan lost the empire.

You're welcome to see what I'm working on here: dotkhmer.com and here is my sandbox monkeyempire.net a little blog where I also write the little tips and tricks I learn for others to enjoy.