For the same reasons people still use vars (think of it as an extension of vars).

And what is the reason for using vars? Is it 5.00x-compatibility or is it because people dislike our? (In which case I'd still like an explanation :)

Whatever the reason is, I think you should document it.

Juerd # { site => 'juerd.nl', plp_site => 'plp.juerd.nl', do_not_use => 'spamtrap' }