Well, my vision of the halfling has all the 1e subraces, with the standard 3e lightfoot halflings; but my tallfellows are different. They look like human kids, and are total gypsies that talk to equines. I gave my vision form years ago, when I started my current campaign world up.
I think the 3e halfling is one of 3e's many attempts to integrate common house rules into the game. A lot of groups- though not mine- used kender. I'm glad they didn't go that far, that's for sure; but I like the new halfling a lot. As a couple of people pointed out, he makes a better adventurer.
Why not just keep hairfeet as the ol' hobbit-style halflings? Subraces are the key to campaign continuity.