I have to build one of these things as part of packaging 'our' kernel
(for more streamlined installations, ie, without compiling a dedicated
kernel for each). I remember reading various criticisms about the
impenetrable obscurity of the mechanism/ arrangement here in the past
but so far, it seems reasonably straight-forward to me (the prereq
arrangement is a bit weird but that's about it).

Is there some hidden booby-trap I'm missing?