I wouldn't say a prefab would be "better" - less people would pay it any attention if it was a prefab. I agree with Tracer though, it would be great to have this turned into a tutorial and provide the file with it.
you are just discriminating because you are, or consider yourself beyond prefabs. i have no such hangup, having come from a prefab site, i automatically see "prefab" when i see a setup such as this.
i would highly recommend it be a prefab for 2 reasons.
1) mostly new people will need this setup.
2) mostly new people look for prefabs JUST LIKE THIS ONE!
a tutorial, will be good, but eventually be buried under the more important tutorials..
visual prefab tutorial will always get more attention than worded ones even if they have a link to the example map.
i bet money, if polled, a n00b will download something called "prefab" before "tutorial"
if it were me, i would do both.
[addsig]