yes, largely - even if its just pin headers adding a detect line which shows a resistance between it and ground would be an improvement.

In my working life I've seen -

at least 3 different ways to do RS-232 on 8p8c

DTE-DCE is always an issue on standard 232, otherwise I wouldn't have so many null modem cables

232 and 3.3v TTL on the same board or assembly

3.3v and 5v TTL on the same board or assembly

Inconsistent labelling.

I'm in my mid 40's and I think there is a reasonable chance something with RS-232 serial timings will outlast me, it'd be nice to make it more foolproof, as its one of a very few interfaces that will work without drivers.

I do think as a matter of standard good design practice we should be putting clamping diodes on debug ports to prevent blowing things up if hit with the wrong voltage,