BEagle,
Thank you for digging out the books. However I would take issue at the 'lunacy' of requirement of recording of IFR as opposed to actual instrument.
Whatever one may think of IFR in VMC, the point is that it is operating an aircraft in a different, more regulated environment; some PPLs get the jitters about transiting controlled airspace and operating at large airports.
Actual or simulated instrument flight(non-IFR) is only a part of IFR flying, and not necessarily the more valuable.
IFR requires that one can both fly actual IMC and in congested airspace.
I'd prefer that only IFR time was required but then I don't really get the chance to get too rusty. I do realize there is a need to emphasize the value of actaul time for people who don't fly so often.