syslog

While browsing slashdot.org for news recently, I read the item that Google has expanded their Usenet archive. Here's what Google says about it:

Google has fully integrated the past 20 years of Usenet archives into Google Groups, which now offers access to more than 700 million messages dating back to 1981. We believe this to be the most complete collection of Usenet articles ever assembled and a fascinating first-hand historical account. We are compiling some especially memorable articles and threads in the timeline below. For example, read Tim Berners-Lee's announcement of what became the World Wide Web or Linus Torvalds' first post about his "pet project".

Other highlights from Google's list of posts include "Jul 1982 -- First mention of a compact disc", "Sep 1983 -- Stallman's announcement of GNU", and "Nov 1988 -- The first warning about the Morris Internet Worm".

I was amused at the Slashdot posts in response to this news item. Some folks expressed concern that their old Usenet postings would come back to haunt them in the style of David Farley's Doctor Fun cartoon "The Ghost of Usenet Postings Past."

I, for one, am glad that the archives have been preserved. They provide a rich historical resource of technical advancements and events. I hope you all can enjoy your Usenet browsing with a minimum of embarrassment.

Sincerely yours,

Amber Ankerholz
Editor in Chief