Re: Is this for systemd?
Actually they were useful to attach metadata to a file which were carried along with it (only as long as the file system supported it, of course), and is no different from what Apple did with its resource fork.
The problem was that most tool written to work on non-NTFS file system kept on ignoring them - and parts of Windows itself as well - including Explorer.
So they could be easily used to hide information in a file.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
