Sadly, very little will be done about that, either. I think I recall seeing that very idea flat out denied, but I do recall seeing a few things that show that there is a massive antipathy toward items and crafter/gatherers in general by certain parts of the development team.

I think they said that they wouldn't make it easier to get shards because... then RMT would sell more shards, or go after some other 'big ticket' item? More or less also why they don't let crafters make equipment equal to the highest item level available.