I'm with TRC on the 15-30cm shooting emphasis. Firewarriors should want no part of FF with the IG.

I'm with Mosc that the list should be divded into at least 2 (Patient Hunter and that other one) plus perhaps a Farsight Enclave that sucks less in assaults.

on the rest
Special Rules -
Co-ordinated Fire + Tau SC: I'm not sure if this rule is too good or not, but it fits.
Markerlights/GMs: We already have a rule in Epic for shooting units youu don't have LOF to, its called Indirect Fire and it works. If Tau want +1 to hit just make the guns better.
Tau Jet Packs: just use Hit & Run
Drones: use the Grot rul. Yes, I know it makes them better in assaults, but since they are awful in them that shouldn't be a problem.
Deflectors: I don't even know where to begin how weird these things are, I don't know if that's good or bad.
Robot Sentry: Egads make this just go away.

Units -
There's too many some have got to go
There's too many skimmers that make all those awful CC values irrelevant, I think Tau Skimmers should get Tau Jet Packs and be Walkers. That cures the CC avoidance and the pop-up spam.
Pop-up spam makes the Tau sit still and outgun the IG as well as out maneuver them. Tau are better than IG at all the IG tricks and they get to be skimmers to boot.
THe aircraft need nerfing.

All in all I just don't play against the Tau anymore, they are boring and completely unlike advertised.

_________________
Fear is for the enemy, fear and bullets.
-James O'Barr, the Crow

Markerlights/GMs/Sentry Drones Turrets - the whole debate on these is annoying - I really like Scarik's idea about using Indirect fire. It's not a barrage template it's just plain old to-hit rolls etc. We would kill 3 birds(and at least 1 special rule) with one stone. As an example, the sentry turrets/ML could be an abstract effect that you get only on Sustained fire like arty. It would represent a more standard system of play, in comparison with other armies, which I think would be a fairer way to express this whole Tau system of tech. Of course, the flavour of Tau tech is dumbed down a little with this option.

Tau jet packs - too many people dislike the current form and it's a sticking point - change to Hit and Run and at least trial it for a time See the Beef discussion thread on my new view/ new possibility

Drones - annoyance is generated by huge crap-fight this is generating - I think I prefer the "only ignore BMs as an upgrade" option best, but up the points to 125-150 on the stand alone formation.

Barracuda - it has too many weapons in comparison with other aircraft types in the game - make it the interceptor it should be and remove the seeker missiles. Perhaps make the Ion cannon AA6+ to hit as it become AA5+ on intercept now.

Swordfish - it's unnecessary - remove it.

Quoting Jaldon here ...
Heavy Gun Drones: Not needed, rarely used: Drop from the list.

Tau Jet Packs - I have tried hit and run on crisis suits and found that the -1 to hit in order to use the rule really hurt the unit.

Personally I no longer have any problem with the rule as is, and my opponents I think are beginning to come around to my way of thinking. The problem I think is in the Crisis suit stats. I have been using them as Light Vehicles with a 3+ AS 1AP4+, and 1 AP4+/5+ shot with  macro weapon FF. Making them light vehicles really nerfs the unit especially if drones are classed as infantry.