12 karma · joined March 16, 2010
I'd welcome automatic updating. Should make the web more up to date.
As a developer, you can contribute small patches, bits here and there or step in deeper and create new features or improvements within the current feature set.
As a designer, the bits and pieces option really is no option. Design can't be applied like that. It needs to be applied to the entire project in a consistent manner. Both visuals and user experience thinking. This makes it a far bigger commitment, something I imagine not everybody is willing to do.
Still not permanent with your definition though, as we all eventually will stop existing.
Of course for a developer it's necessary to have some knowledge of html primarily, but no real need for deep knowledge. Not in my, somewhat limited, experience anyway.