Hi orbiter
It seems to be related to the yafaray plugin. The yafaray plugin must be installed in v2.1.5. From where did you get it? (point us the link if possible)
Anyway, if you don't need to use it - until someone fix the problem you can disable it (menu Edit->Plug-in Manager->Render and uncheck wpc_yafaray).
That should enable you to change the material settings.
It seems to be related to the yafaray plugin. The yafaray plugin must be installed in v2.1.5. From where did you get it? (point us the link if possible)
Anyway, if you don't need to use it - until someone fix the problem you can disable it (menu Edit->Plug-in Manager->Render and uncheck wpc_yafaray).
That should enable you to change the material settings.