Yes, moving the config file every version is pretty much an attempt to drive off all but the most hard core users. It's amazing how many programmers complain about bad software when a command in the drop down menus isn't where it should be and this piece of crap moves its entire settings structure to a different place with each iteration. I had a config file that was fine where it was in the same folder as dosbox, upgraded, attempted to continue editing the file as usual. Found that changes had no effect. Had to go rummaging through the damn wiki to see it had been recreated elsewhere.
Front ends really don't cut it mostly because they act as game launchers. At least all the ones on the Mac do. I don't want a game launcher with a need to reset everything for each game. I just want to be able to set one attrib here and there easily. 21st century style.
And yes, it is difficult to have to scroll through heaps of text options and # comment lines and then set options where some are "yes/no" and some are "true/false". It's all such bullshit for the sake of it. I can see why the author's gave up. They, and most everyone here are ninnies when it comes to any kind of usability. Instead of sitting with your thumbs up your asses saying "this is not important to us gods", get someone who is versed in simple human interface stuff - like me, I'm a frakking web designer/animator/ui creator - who would work for free and take their advice.
No, I can't code it myself. That's not my thing. But I can certainly advise, do mock ups, and create elements all for the love of the app. If you all weren't so hostile and silly. But do continue alienating people and keep making a shit product that we never gain real wide spread usage beyond uber geeks.