Usenet is a world-wide collective bulletin board system. Each area is devoted to a particular discussion topic eg pottery, particle physics etc. Users post messages via electronic mail. Answers or comments to posts are connected, forming linked or "threaded discussions". Users can also choose to start a new discussion.

The first to take advantage of this instant and cheap form of communication were scientists. They were able to collaborate with colleagues world-wide and by sharing their ideas and findings much quicker than traditional publication methods (magazines, journals and books) allowed, advances were made much quicker than previously thought possible. Instant communication gradually became appealing to non-scientists and Usenet today is thriving.

Today discussion areas, also known as newsgroups, number in the tens of thousands. Newsgroup types are recognisable by their names. Types of Usenet groups are alt (alternative newsgroups), biz (business groups), comp (about computers), misc (miscellaneous), news (about newsgroups), rec (recreational, sports and hobbies), sci (science), soc (social),and talk (discussions). A group called pet.rec.cats therefore is a recreational group which discusses cats.

There are newsgroups for everything, from history fans through to people who like to swap jokes. It is one of the best ways to find news, information, new WWW sites, publications etc. The idea is that everyone shares as much knowledge as possible - a sort of unofficial helpline.

Usenet is supported by internet technology and infrastructure, but it is also supported and carried by other means. Some newsgroups are funded with public money but most are privately funded. If someone carries a group you do not approve of or says something you don't like there is very little you can do - except not to subscribe to that group.

The easiest way to find newsgroups that suit your interests or to search through postings and contribute, is to use your browser. Look through the help files for "news", "newsgroups" or "usenet" and follow the instructions.

Alternatively, use the WWW based service Google's Groups. Formerly called Deja News, this is a simple and popular way of acessing newsgroups. You may browse without subscribing but if you wish to post you must become a member. Signing up is free and very simple.

Beginner's Cautionary Notes

Make sure you follow the posting etiquette. This is roughly the same as Effective Email. In addition, keep a short signature file, make sure you attribute quotes correctly and copy only relevant parts of old messages. Avoid flames by being nice!

Lurk in the newsgroup for some weeks before joining in. This will allow you to know the personalities involved in the group. As the new kid on the block it's best to keep your keyboard to yourself until you fully understand the culture of the group. Your name will always be associated with your posts, so it's important to project the image you want from the start.

Before posting, look to see if there is a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) list available. You can check for these online here or here.

Finally, some newsgroups accept all posts. However, moderated newsgroups, have an "editor" who checks each message to see if it is appropriate for the group. Moderators do not reject your message because they don't agree with you, or because they don't like you. They only reject it if it is inappropriate or if they have included other posts very similar to yours.

This page comes from my book Ahead with IT. If you are curious to find out more about my work, check out my Writing Credits

My series Instant Genius! Information Technology Without The Technical Jargon that is published by Pelanduk is unfortunately out of print. I am considering a compilation and new publication.

If you find this useful, please don't copy it and put it on your web site. Instead, please put in the first paragraph and a link to this page. I need the traffic! If you want a copy for a school intranet where kids can't go online in a general way, I don't mind, AS LONG AS... you keep the whole page intact, including the images of my book, my name and also give me a credit and link to lepak.com. And drop me an email to let me know? Thanks!

Also, please look at two of my books that are now out at bookshops in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and other countries.

Click on the images above for free sneak peek at chapters, prefaces, tables of contents, lists of retailers and other information.