One of things wich can help Blender to be more popular and usefull its a clear and understandable interface. Lets look at buttons in Edit Mode.
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Radio buttons (vertex, edge or face). Active mode viewed on dark gray background. In opposite check button "Auto merge" drawn on dark gray background when disabled. This style confuses user. Its more wish than bug. But i suggest to think about way to let user know more clearly when mode off or on. May be using colored buttons like in snap mode.
With best regards, Felicia