Enabling/disabling that PHP feature requires modification of your php.ini file. On SOME hosts which use SuPHP or PHP in CGI mode it is possible to edit the php.ini in the root and administrator directories. On the vast majority of hosts which use mod_php or PHP as FastCGI this would require editing the system-wide php.ini and restarting Apache. Both actions require root privileges, which mean that your web server (Apache) and Joomla! should run as root. This is the fastest way to ensure that one otherwise insignificant breach will compromise your entire server. So, no, I will not implement a feature which works on 10% of servers or requires you to severely degrade your site's security for convenience.
Besides, in future versions of Joomla! you won't need URL fopen() wrappers. This is something people are actively working on. I made sure that com_joomlaupdate (the new Joomla! updater, which is a direct port of the Admin Tools' Joomla! Update feature) can work with or without URL fopen() wrappers. With a bit of luck, we will be able to implement the same approach (auto-use cURL or fopen) in other areas of the CMS. I just need to find some time to write a patch :(
Nicholas K. Dionysopoulos
Lead Developer and Director
🇬🇷Greek: native 🇬🇧English: excellent 🇫🇷French: basic • 🕐 My time zone is Europe / Athens
Please keep in mind my timezone and cultural differences when reading my replies. Thank you!
