Well, no. I had not tried that. And that will indeed allow me to input the values.
But there is still a problem as the behavior has changed since some time in the past. In past versions, simply type "d" and the dynamic feedback would reflect degree of curve and when select the curve after it was placed, the text manipulator reflected the degree of curve. What happens now with your suggestion is that the dynamic feedback and manipulators still present the radius value which is not easily intelligible.
In short, what had once been a complete solution has, at some point, reverted to a half solution.
But there is still a problem as the behavior has changed since some time in the past. In past versions, simply type "d" and the dynamic feedback would reflect degree of curve and when select the curve after it was placed, the text manipulator reflected the degree of curve. What happens now with your suggestion is that the dynamic feedback and manipulators still present the radius value which is not easily intelligible.
In short, what had once been a complete solution has, at some point, reverted to a half solution.