news.software.readers

On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 00:17:09 -0400, in , -Lost wrote:

>Why do people use X-No-Archive?
>
>I searched for some information that was posted to me a couple years
>ago, and found that they used that header. Now their information is
>lost forever. (Right?)

There are many ways to use Usenet. Two common ways are as a public forum and
information source or as a cocktail party. Different groups have different
requirements.

In informational groups, I agree with you, x-no-archive sucks and is pointless.
There's no way to track people who give spurious information, and if you are
giving useful information, why woudn't the helpful person want people to find
it years later?

In more colloquial discussion groups, especially in "alt" and especially ones
regarding politics, it's probably best if the archives "forget" what is said.
Otherwise, people aren't allowed to develop ideas and truly speak their minds,
as they're constantly hedging their bets against those who would hold
everything they say against them, such as governments.

Some people use x-no-archive to dodge responsibility for what they say, but
that perception is mostly false. For the most part, people who use the
no-archive bit use it for various reasons of privacy, and a more
"conversational" Usenet vs. a repository of everything they type.

I usually x-no-archive my posts, but not in informational groups if I remember
to change my defaults. If I'm trying to provide actual information, I feel it
*should* be archived. If I'm holding a conversation, I prefer the computer to
forget after the premiums drop the article (sometimes over a year later!).

--
Zag

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ...Ben Franklin