Nice thought...

There are existing alternatives that are worth mentioning:

• If the module has a mailing list, go look at the archives for "recent" (as defined by you) activity and strike up a conversation with the participants. I have personally received email in response to year-old posts of mine on mailing lists or news groups along the lines of "did you ever get that solved..."
• If not a mailing list, then perhaps the author could be of assistance unless they explicitly say not to contact them.
• Ask in SoPW. People will chime in if they've used it -- and sometimes the author will as well. Lots of lurkers here on PM.

Cheers,
Matt