Regarding the first paragraph, it also does not help that the _LOG_SMALL_ENTRY_MAX_SIZE parameter does not exist in Oracle Database 11.1.0.7, but I suspected that there might be something else that is not quite right with the quote.

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Something to think about is what might happen when this 10.1.0.x or 10.2.0.x database, whose instance is using a spfile, is upgraded in-place. If the book’s advice were followed to the letter and the value of these four hidden initialization parameters were modified, how much unnecessary downtime would be suffered? As a DBA, do you really want to get into the habit of flipping hidden initialization parameters as a silver bullet for performance problems?

Speaking of silver bullets, where is that second edition ultimate oracle reference book that I ordered which was supposed to be released June 1, 2010?

Bug in Oracle Database 9.2: http://www.freelists.org/post/oracle-l/Caution-on-LOG-PARALLELISM,1
Can’t RAC Oracle Database 9.2: http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21368263
Where is that darn parameter (checked 11.1.0.7): http://www.orafaq.com/parms/parm1192.htm