I haven't followed this thread well enough to decide if their are arguments of points or just open discussions
For what its' worth. the general concept is to control the amount of ice that forms and/or sheds. It's pretty difficult in some icing conditions to eliminate all ice since mother nature throws all kinds of stuff at you.
On the subject of inlet ice, the available amount of heat at worst conditions permits ice formations up to a point where the insulating effects of the blanket of ice against the inlet skin causes enough heat load to dislodge a layer of ice. Such layer is suppose to be handled by the engine without affecting the flight.
There are many other effects going on relative to the aircraft and other surfaces but I am trying to stay within my interpt of the OP.