[GH-ISSUE #65] feature request: not have "never expire" as default #47

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opened 2026-02-27 10:15:29 +03:00 by kerem · 5 comments
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Originally created by @kamaradski on GitHub (Jul 26, 2024).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/matze/wastebin/issues/65

Originally assigned to: @matze on GitHub.

It would be useful for us to not have "never expire" as default selection for new pasts

Usecase:
I have deployed wastebin internally in a small company for people to share information among each other that does not fit inside a chat, or do not belong in a chat, where syntax need to be preserved, or in case one doesnt want to clutter documentation with raw text.

So i see people using it to:

  • share (semi)sensitive data that should expire within a day or week
  • share code snippets that also lose relevance very quickly
  • large raw log-files for troubleshooting that can contain also sensitive data sometimes and should expire until the troubleshooting is completed
  • store supporting data for documentation and reports probably need to remain available for 1 year and upwards

How do people use it:

  • paste information
  • press the go button
  • copy the link
  • call it a day

And thus you can see they forget to select an appropriate expiration resulting in:

  • server cluttering with data noone needs (creating digital-waste)
  • potential sensitive data being stored longer than needed (you know what endusers are like)

Potential solution 1:
allow the sysadmin to set which is the default pre-selected expiration
Con: this might lead to users pre-maturly losing their content
Pro: Previous con leads to user-education on how to correctly use the tool
Pro: this retains the quick flow of creating a paste, where the user can opt not to click on a expiration option

Potential solution 2:
not set a preselected expiration at all, and not accept sumbission of the paste until the use has done so
Con: this breaks the quick create workflow by introducing 1 additional click
Con: a bit of extra effort in coding the feature since the UX flow need to be changed including writing proper error messages
Pro: user-education without pissing users off for accidentally prematurly losing their content (potential solution 1), or pissing the sysadmins off by cluttering the system with items that exist longer then required.

Personally i like option 2 the most even if it's a bit more effort, however i cannot judge the usecases of other people.

Originally created by @kamaradski on GitHub (Jul 26, 2024). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/matze/wastebin/issues/65 Originally assigned to: @matze on GitHub. It would be useful for us to not have "never expire" as default selection for new pasts Usecase: I have deployed wastebin internally in a small company for people to share information among each other that does not fit inside a chat, or do not belong in a chat, where syntax need to be preserved, or in case one doesnt want to clutter documentation with raw text. So i see people using it to: - share (semi)sensitive data that should expire within a day or week - share code snippets that also lose relevance very quickly - large raw log-files for troubleshooting that can contain also sensitive data sometimes and should expire until the troubleshooting is completed - store supporting data for documentation and reports probably need to remain available for 1 year and upwards How do people use it: - paste information - press the go button - copy the link - call it a day And thus you can see they forget to select an appropriate expiration resulting in: - server cluttering with data noone needs (creating digital-waste) - potential sensitive data being stored longer than needed (you know what endusers are like) Potential solution 1: allow the sysadmin to set which is the default pre-selected expiration Con: this might lead to users pre-maturly losing their content Pro: Previous con leads to user-education on how to correctly use the tool Pro: this retains the quick flow of creating a paste, where the user can opt not to click on a expiration option Potential solution 2: not set a preselected expiration at all, and not accept sumbission of the paste until the use has done so Con: this breaks the quick create workflow by introducing 1 additional click Con: a bit of extra effort in coding the feature since the UX flow need to be changed including writing proper error messages Pro: user-education without pissing users off for accidentally prematurly losing their content (potential solution 1), or pissing the sysadmins off by cluttering the system with items that exist longer then required. Personally i like option 2 the most even if it's a bit more effort, however i cannot judge the usecases of other people.
kerem closed this issue 2026-02-27 10:15:29 +03:00
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@matze commented on GitHub (Aug 1, 2024):

Thanks for the request! I see where you are coming from, I guess opting into solution 2 would be a good compromise.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2263947393 --> @matze commented on GitHub (Aug 1, 2024): Thanks for the request! I see where you are coming from, I guess opting into solution 2 would be a good compromise.
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@xlionjuan commented on GitHub (Nov 3, 2024):

If WASTEBIN_MAX_PASTE_EXPIRATION is set, the default expiry will be 600 seconds, it is too short for most times, if not set, it will default to never, and it is unrealistic, maybe made a env that can change this default setting?

<!-- gh-comment-id:2453377502 --> @xlionjuan commented on GitHub (Nov 3, 2024): If `WASTEBIN_MAX_PASTE_EXPIRATION` is set, the default expiry will be 600 seconds, it is too short for most times, if not set, it will default to never, and it is unrealistic, maybe made a env that can change this default setting?
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@SamKr commented on GitHub (Nov 5, 2024):

+1, would love to have a default env setting, separate from max paste expiration

<!-- gh-comment-id:2456527880 --> @SamKr commented on GitHub (Nov 5, 2024): +1, would love to have a default env setting, separate from max paste expiration
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@matze commented on GitHub (Nov 8, 2024):

Makes sense + setting the default to whatever was chosen as the maximum expiration in case the default is not set.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2465768473 --> @matze commented on GitHub (Nov 8, 2024): Makes sense + setting the default to whatever was chosen as the maximum expiration in case the default is not set.
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@matze commented on GitHub (Feb 25, 2025):

See my comment here: https://github.com/matze/wastebin/issues/54#issuecomment-2682571682.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2682572361 --> @matze commented on GitHub (Feb 25, 2025): See my comment here: https://github.com/matze/wastebin/issues/54#issuecomment-2682571682.
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