SelectPolygons modifier

It's not bad idea to implement all these things inside a modifier.
То create this kind of tool is not difficult, but
I have no experience in writing the scripted modifiers plugins.
I also like to see this modifier on this site, sooner or later.

yes I use Mesh Select, Turn to Mesh and Volume Select a lot so here i have idea to combine some functionality of these modifiers into new one let me say - SmartSelect Modifier. by the way your Hard Edges script could be also as selection method inside this modifier. this would bring more parametric spirit into 3dsmax

Sounds nice, any plans to release it?

Have you try Turn to Poly or Turn to mash?
Or simple Poly Select or Mesh Select
depending on the type of object.