I'm not sure what I think, but I've got four weeks left with Giganews to make up my mind. Overall the sense of transience of data doesn't seem any different. Usenet was and is a terrific resource --- but one on which one must stay nearly current.
That's probably why ThrowgnCpr and I are interested in seeing the DVDs on RapidShare: direct access, and a change in the status of the data from ephemeral to slightly more solid. As communities such as fanedit.org grow, that seems to be the direction they're heading.
Of course, that said, I've never seen a download go as smoothly as did the RotJ 10p splitscreen through NewsBin. Clean, smooth, and painless. Of course, once I had it, I discovered how pathetically underpowered I am to view it!
Which means, for right now, I'll stick with DVDs. If they are recirculated I'll be grateful. And, if not, I may keep a toe in the water occasionally to see what does come.