orwell:
I also want to thank you for dredging up an old thread...to be honest, I've been the the same position in finding a thread during a search only to find it's 3yrs old. Then comes the dilemma as to starting a new topic and being hammered by the "net nannies" or "thread police" or dredging up the old thread in hopes of updating the details and even taking advantage of the fact people might be more aware of the topic in question and being better able to have a good discussion. Kinda Hobson's Choice in the world of inline forums...what a netizen to do? Eh, either way there are the PITA sorts who are so contrary they "go both ways" so as to feel included in every topic and the center of attention wherever they go...just ignore those sorts if they persist...that usually really gets their knickers-in-twist and is actually quite fun and funny.
BTW, if the board owner (Alex in this case) does not want old threads to be brought back up from time to time then threads over a certain age or period since last activity need to automagically close. But in an effort to let users continue an old discussion when relative info already exists in an old thread their could be a link in the old-closed thread to open a new thread which contains a link back the the original thread in efford to give those new to the discussion quick access to backgound on the topic. We already have this in the "Similar threads" box at the bottom of each thread we open to read... Perhaps an feature like this would appease everyone. Sure it would take some coding, but should be relatively straightfoward to add. The issue is would it be used enough to justify the time and effort. I think so because it would help others realize there exists a ton of discussion on many topics which they never bother to find for themselves because search is sort of intimidating for many people, even today after using search engines for how ong now? ...I dunno?
Maybe I, or anyone who finds this idea reasonable, can make a post in the "Site Suggestions" section?
Anyway, my question about this whole DRM server going dark thing would only seem relevant for those who have not downloaded their book(s) already or need to move the book to a different device. After being download it matters not a single iota if the service takes it's ball and goes home in a huff. It's not as if the reader software must "phone home" for permission to be read.
Now for someone who needs to move to a different device then, yeah, it is relevant for sure. But thanks to the diligent efforts of many people there are tools to make that happen even though it might take some trial and error on the user's part.
So, I guess unless one is completely tech deficient this is a non-issue for all but one or two DRM schemes which have not been, ummmm, "solved" or for the person who does not even know where to get info or why they cannot simply move devices on some of their books. And this last part is, to me, the shining reason why DRM is so very bad to the business. Many people read because they love it, but I imagine far more do so because they have to choose their forms of entertainment or even educational materials very judiciously due to budget issues.
Anyway, I do like that your brought up an old thread that is actually relevant because of many people considering a new device only to learn some of the books they bought in say, secure MOBI, cannot be read on their new device because the device has ADE/secure EPUB and MOBI demands exclusivity in terms of DRM content, which is asinine and only harms the industry as a whole. Still it's a thing people need to remember when looking at new devices and incentive to learn how to use the tools needed to let them move their books between device w/o worry.