Re:Flaky and Unreliable
The minimum search length is 4 characters because that's the limitation MySQL is imposing on Tiki by using the standard built-in database search. I think there are plans to build a real 'Tiki' search engine - not depending on MySQL - for the 1.8 release.
I never had any problems with file and/or image uploads but I would agree that overall TWiki feels a bit more 'solid' than Tiwiki despite the somewhat clunky look. But it's a look you can get very quickly used to.
Regards,
Pat.