I used VMK Pal every time I signed into VMK. I LOVED it. Taking screen shots was my big plus for using it. So much easier, and I didn't have to mess around with any Paint program. Liked the photo album feature as well. Also, signing in was so much easier as well. I never used it for hot keys, magnifier, storing codes, etc. I also loved the clock and calendar feature alot! Because I'm in Illinois, I pretty much went by whatever time Pal had displayed ~ even though I was very use to the time difference anyway. The calendar was a nice reminder as to what Host events were going on, and when they ended.
I never got hacked while using it. Yes, I had my fair share of errors. But I think they were all memory related errors and nothing to do with Pal. In fact, I will say that I had way less errors using VMK Pal, than I did using Internet Explorer or Firefox ~ if that's even possible. I believe it to be true.
As far as Pal being unfair advantage to the game, it just wasn't true. It's a browser wrapper or skin ~ that's it. I never got banned or in trouble by vmk for using Pal. I will go with everyone else in saying that vmk always said we would not be banned for using it, and just that they wouldn't support it ~ and so I did use it, everyday!
I have also read somewhere else that VFK staff was already asked about using VFKBuddy. They didn't seem to have a problem with it. I think another VFK Player actually was quoted as emailing VFK and got a reply, saying it was fine.
I would be interested in using something along the lines of VMK Pal for VFK too. Feel free to send me the link, Add. I'll give it a go. Oh, and I think Hawkster is a very nice guy ~ met him more than a few times in game. I don't think that he would try and put anyone in harms way with VFK, and this program he created.