Usenet has changed a little. Everyone ignores the first rule of Usenet now. Granted it was getting to be a rundown joke, but anyone will talk about Usenet. Secondly, the backbones have been pruned back quite a bit. Another thing about that is which backbone you use matters more as DCMA takedowns happen differently depending on not only the company, but country too. Differences in laws obviously, and the manner in which they are handled directly impacts your file (or logs). A NA backbone server might have automated takedown requests, whilst a Euro server may require the request in writing. Having accounts in more than one backbone is quite beneficial. Block account for fill or whatever.

With regards to companies, some US companies have been buying European ones which potentially makes using that backbone/server more tenuous. I don’t think I’ve experienced any issues from that, but it might be impossible for me to know. Unless I get…dundundunnn…The Letter.

I would think dalnet is still up. Those fuckers are like cockroaches. Only a nuke will take them out.