dieter,

if you were to produce a panel that is equally long/wide, the module
could be rotated anticlockwise by 90 degrees (to allow inputs on the
bottom, outputs right) 180 degrees (inputs on top, outputs right) etc.
there would be little point in retaining the 1-8 and a-h labelling,
but i would be happy to lose that in favour of the flexible mount option.

and here's my vote for slightly fewer rows to gain space between them.
although having eight rows is very tempting for those with clock
dividers and sequencers :)

stu