Patching and distributing a NetBeans platform module

Hello!

I would like to patch a NetBeans platform module.  At the bottom of the FAQ below, the "Applies to" says NetBeans 6.x.  Does this method of creating a "patches" folder still apply to 8.0.2?

http://wiki.netbeans.org/DevFaqModulePatching

Secondly, is there some way that this patch for a platform module could be distributed for an existing application through an update center?  I'm using ant.  In reading previous posts and blogs, there seems to be conflicting reports about what can be done with the modules in the platform folder once an application is distributed.

Thanks!