[fogus]

    it is an attempt to erect as large 
    a barrier as possible to participation

The "barrier" is only as tall as a postage stamp.

[Waywocket]

If you honestly think there's a way they could plausibly have made it harder, start by naming a project which has a higher barrier to entry.

[fogus]

I couldn't care less what other projects require. If I am excited enough about contributing to them then I will do so regardless of the barrier.