I think 4images is the BEST PHP/mySQL image gallery solution out there. And I can understand the value of integrating it with forum scripts like vBulletin and phpbb, etc. But I also like the fact that the author(s) is focusing on maturing the script and adding new features.
As a photographer with a personal web site, this solution suits me perfectly since I don't use forums... well that's half true.
I would still like to see some API (interface) developed to allow for user login information to be shared with other scripts. Even though I don't use a forum script, I'd like to integrate it with a 3rd party shopping cart solution for my customers to purchase prints on-line. I'm seriously looking at SunShop
http://www.turnkeywebtools.com and it has its own user maintenance, etc. (If anyone has integrated 4images with a cart system that uses PayPal and a printable order form, please let me know!)
So perhaps an API could be developed in some future release to support integration of member info with 3rd party scripts.
Just my two cents...