A Network for the World
Meet Usenet--the Web isn't the only game in town. The Usenet isn't flashy. At first glance, it looks very much like other forums you may have used, such as the Compuserve forums or the ones connected to AICPA Online or other Web sites: Someone posts a message and responses follow in growing "threads." However, despite its low profile and the misunderstandings that surround it, the Usenet is potentially more useful than the Web. Access to it is easy and it loads quickly. And because no single group controls any part of the Usenet, divergent opinions flourish. No special software is needed; if you can get online, you probably have everything you need to take advantage of this vast, continuously changing collection of online discussions. It's no wonder, therefore, that, in its quiet way, the Usenet has become so popular. THE USENET: WHAT, WHERE AND HOW Many people, even technology experts, refer to the Web and the Internet as if they were synonymous. However, the Web is simply one way of using the Internet. E-mail is another use of the Internet, and so is the Usenet. Just as the Web is divided into individual Web sites, the Usenet is divided into thousands of "newsgroups"--each one devoted to a particular subject, such as taxation or Xena: Warrior Princess. A newsgroup is simply a collection of posted messages on a particular subject and responses to them. However, newsgroups differ in important ways from more proprietary forums such as those connected to a Web site. Web pages, and the forums connected to them, are someone's property. Newsgroups don't belong to anyone. Newsgroup messages essentially flow through computers called news servers all over the world--they have no central location. Your Internet service provider (ISP) probably has a local news server, just as it has a server to manage your e-mail. The newsgroups and individual messages you have access to at a given moment vary based on how quickly your ISP's server, and other servers it is in contact with, move the information. Both Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator have "newsreaders," the software tool you need to access newsgroups. You use your newsreader to choose, or "subscribe to" newsgroups you're interested in. Newsgroup names indicate which of the several major categories they fall into. For example, a group called "rec.dog. poodles" refers to a recreational newsgroup for dog lovers who own poodles. A "misc" newsgroup is one that doesn't fall into any one of the established categories. "Alt" newsgroups tend to be the most freewheeling. Many, but by no means all, of the "alt" groups cover adults-only topics, giving the whole Usenet an undeservedly racy reputation. If newsgroups don't belong to anyone, who starts them and who makes sure that, for example, dalmatian owners don't start posting messages in the poodles group? Anyone can create a newsgroup, but the process is lengthy, complicated and not recommended for novices. Essentially it involves obtaining a consensus from the Usenet community. Once a newsgroup is up and running, it's hard to edit unless it's moderated (described below). However, those who violate the posting rules of a particular group will face angry responses, or "flames," from the other members. For details on starting a newsgroup, go to www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/8211/newgroup.html. Starting out. The first newsgroup a novice should visit is news.announce. newusers, which offers advice to "newbies." Misc.test is just for making sure you know how to read and post messages. Using any other newsgroup to test your skills by posting extraneous messages is considered rude. Also generally frowned upon are overly long messages and advertisements. Some newsgroups invite sharp debate; others are for more genteel discussions. Each newsgroup has its own personality. Read a selection of messages in a given newsgroup before posting any yourself. WHAT YOU'LL FIND Once you feel comfortable with your newsreader, go to misc. …