You can choose what version of IM you want to build. There may be several releases more recent than Debian Stable!
I'm not sure what your objection to "nonstandard" software is. I write software for a living -- all of my work is "nonstandard" by definition, but it runs just fine. :)
It's not an objection. It's an explanation of why people install unstable or newer versions of software; a counterpoint to the article.
Applying your own patch to a piece of software makes it nonstandard and unstable (because it may introduce new bugs, like any change), the very thing the author of the article fears.
I'm not sure what your objection to "nonstandard" software is. I write software for a living -- all of my work is "nonstandard" by definition, but it runs just fine. :)