[FedCom] Message Posting History Retention Necessary?

[ken windyka]

As most of you are aware, over 12 months of posted message history can be
obtained by ANYONE who signs into the qth.net server.  They don't have to
join any group in order to review all of the postings.

Of the last few years, Al W. has done considerable upgrades in equipment to
keep all of this posting history on line.  What I seem to see is that this
is basically a fruitless task that wastes resources (equipment as well as
money).  In the vast majority of cases on these lists, there absolutely no
indication that people asking for information have tried to do basic
research on what's already been in the posting history on a particular
subject such as "I'm going to XXXXX, what's the best frequencies to listen
to for(agency, base, etc) ?"......

So basically, we all join these lists to exchange information.  Most of us
get the emails either individual or in a digest format.  The information we
don't need we trash and keep what's of use to us.   For folks who don't
join these lists, than it's their tough luck if they don't get the
information they are looking for if they try to do an internet search. 

What I am suggesting is that the posting history be reduced to about 1 to 2
months of history.  After which time the archieves would disappear.   I
think that this would give hobbyist ample opportunity to review again what
is posted & download.  Futhermore this would encourage hobbyists to join
these mail lists rather than lurking through a search engine OR joining
just to look at the posting history!!!!

Anyways that just my opinion, what do others think???

Ken Windyka
Springfield MA Monitoring Area