The idea behind the new 282 systems is a good one. It makes the mod, like a platform for others to mod.
See it like a "moddable" mod.
It's also logical as Igiss said. There has to be a bunch of unexplored systems out there. Vanilla FL limited you only to previously explored systems. Why not expand that to allow you to go and explore the galaxy for yourself?
I think that adding all those systems was a cool idea. At the point that my first cap ship will be a cruiser equipped for long range exploration. Sort of voyager from star trek. And i will finally will be able to "boldly go where no player has gone before..."
Also think in the RP possibilities all those systems add to the mod...
The only flaw i found with the new systems is the conduit patterns. They are arranged more like a matrix than a real galaxy... All the conduits between systems have almost the same length.
(If you find any mistake in my English, please let me know via a PM)
(Really, I speak terrible English, so please, tell me if I make mistakes. I'd like to improve it a bit )