I'm surprised I haven't seen this thread before and I know this is so old the link doesn't even work any more, but I want to reply to this misinformation anyway.
Rope-type plugs are ABSOLUTELY FINE. They are not temporary repairs, they will last the life of the tire. You DO NOT need to remove the tire from the rim, you DO NOT need an interior patch plug.
These fearmongering articles have been around almost as long as tires, and they've been nonsense the whole time.
You can't use one in a sidewall, they can only be used in the tread area. The puncture can't be too big and they don't always work if the puncture is at too much of an angle. You do have to install them correctly, you have to file the puncture, you have to use the glue, you have to get the glue all the way in the hole.
But for a nail or screw puncture, I've never had one fail before the tire was worn out.