I've been downloading and following the updating on dozens of TES Nexus files for a couple of years, as well as answering questions about one of my own downloads, there. I can honestly say I haven't noticed a single file "redated" by the system.
This is really off topic, so I'll keep it brief. In the case mentioned in this thread concerning hotkeys, the "last updated" field on Nexus is
not correct. It was not last updated in 2008, and the mod he says to use
is more recent. It includes everything the older one does, including the same readme, plus a lot more. I have seen this on other mods at the Nexus as well (the "last updated" field not matching the mod's file dates). Perhaps it is when the files were last uploaded. I really don't know, as I said. But in this particular case, if you want the newer of the two mods, you
should follow the modder's advice on the download page and get the newer one.