yes, delays are to be expected, and it is an enormous project. However, status updates are important to maintain a healthy user base.
Also, the project has become very "closed" (for an open source project). As a prime example, I spent months learning the source code and the inner workings, spent a great amount of time refactoring and fixing the X10 code that has been broken for years, and got my changes sponsored by a Pluto dev. However, when trying to get on the dev team I was pretty much told that I wasn't good enough, and would have to continue finding someone to sponsor my SVN updates (which would cut my productivity in half, which I simply don't have the time for). I have many improvements for the Lighting and Climate plugins that would be of benefit to many people.
So please understand, when I say that I am disgusted, its not about release dates or the punctuality of them, rather its about the direction the entire project seems to be going (why would an open-source project not accept more help and ideas, why are only a select few in the know, etc...)