A newsgroup is a repository of digital messages posted by users, and generally managed by the Usenet system.
Usenet is a worldwide distributed discussion system available on computers. Established in 1990, Usenet is similar to a bulletin board system (BBS) in many ways and is a precursor to the Internet forums that are in use today. Discussions are threaded, as they are in BBS and Internet forums, but they are stored on the server sequentially.
The chief differentiating point between a Usenet newsgroup and a BBS or Internet forum is the absence of a central server and dedicated administrator. Rather, Usenet is distributed along a constantly changing network of servers that store and forward messages to one another in news feeds. Participating users read messages on a local server operated by a commercial Usenet provider, their Internet Service Provider, university, employer, or their own server, and can make replies.
In the 1990s, before public access to the Internet became widespread, Usenet connections were made through Fidonet's dialup BBS networks, which required only a local telephone service.
Before the World Wide Web, Usenet groups were the most popular Internet services and remain popular, only among a smaller network of users. However, newsgroup discussions have lost large numbers of potential users to Internet forums and social networks.
There are two types of newsgroup formats, binary and text, which allows users with limited facilities to minimize network bandwidth.
Although newsgroups were not intended to distribute images, video, or sound, the technology has proven to be effective in doing so. Newsgroups that encourage these are known as binary newsgroups, while text newsgroups are restricted to textual messages.
Messages sent for publication to a newsgroup are known as posts. Most newsgroups are focused on a specific topic, and members tend to discourage off-topic posts, although some newsgroups consider anything that a member wants to discuss to be on-topic. The administrator of a news server (news admin) determines how long a post is kept on a server before being deleted, so some servers will have longer retention times for the same newsgroup.
Newsgroups vary in popularity. Many are inactive, and others receive fewer than a dozen posts a year, while the most popular ones can get several thousand posts in an hour.
Most newsgroups are not moderated, except perhaps by other users who will express displeasure over off-topic or inappropriate posts. In moderated newsgroups, one or more assigned moderators must approve posts before they are published.
In order to make it easier for users to find related groups, newsgroups are usually arranged into hierarchies. There were seven original major hierarchies of Usenet newsgroups: comp, news, sci, rec, soc, talk, and misc. In the order previously given, these discussed computer-related topics, Usenet itself, scientific topics, recreational activities, social issues, potentially contentious issues, and anything that didn't fit into the other hierarchies. Several others have since been created, including non-English newsgroups.
Newsgroups are commonly associated with Usenet, but non-Usenet newsgroups also exist, set up by private individuals, organizations, or companies.
Websites that are focused on newsgroups are appropriate for this category, including the networks that distribute these discussions.
Recommended Resources
Adras is an archive of newsgroups and mail lists focused on a variety of topics related to information technology. The site provides read-only access to newsgroup discussions of such subjects as Audio, Hardware, Linux and Unix, Macintosh, Macromedia, Mobile, Network, Office, Programming, Science, Software, Viruses and Spyware, Windows, and Windows Servers. Within each of these larger subject categories are more specific topics. A site map is also available.
http://www.adras.com/
In business since 1994, Giganews offers three limited Usenet plans and two unlimited Usenet plans, the latter including Personal VyprVPN, and all of its plans including 256-bit SSL and 24/7 365-days-a-year support services. A 14-day free trial is included. Its plans, features, terms of service, and customer testimonials are included, along with its affiliate and outsourcing programs. Usenet basics, access information, and several video tutorials are featured.
https://www.giganews.com/
Developed by Google, Google Groups provides discussion groups for people who share common interests and also provides a gateway to Usenet newsgroups through its shared user interface. Google Groups became operational in 2001 when Google acquired the Deja News Usenet archive. Besides accessing Google and Usenet groups, registered users of the service are able to set up mailing list archives for email lists that are hosted elsewhere.
https://groups.google.com/
Offering high-speed premium newsgroup access through a network of redundant servers, the provider offers more than three years of binary retention and more than fifteen years of text retention, and better than a 99% completion rates on downloads. In business since 2004, the provider promises unlimited bandwidth and secure newsgroup servers, as well as 24/7 technical support throughout the year. Usenet resources, a glossary, and other resources are included.
https://www.usenet.net/
Specializing in providing uncensored Usenet service, any type of software can be used, and access can be through any type of device. Its three levels of Usenet account packages are featured, with comparisons, prices, and other details. The security advantages of Usenet over regular Internet Service Providers are discussed, along with its connection speeds, access to every known newsgroup, four-year retention times, and support services.
https://www.usenetstorm.com/
Specializing in high-speed access to Usenet, offering three plans, each with options for the starter-plan, which is flexible with a short duration, or the savings plan, which is longer but at a lower price. A 14-day free trial is also available. Founded in 2004, UseNeXT offers access to Usenet in much the same way that an ISP offers connections to the Internet. Its site offers a description of Usenet, including its history, newsgroups, retention times, newsreaders, and a glossary.
https://www.usenext.com/
Yahoo! Groups is one of the largest collections of newsgroup discussion boards in the world. Not connected with Usenet, its service is a hybrid between an electronic mailing list and a threaded Internet forum, as it can be read or replied to by email or on its website. Its site divides newsgroups into topical categories, its terms and guidelines are stated, along with a help section, and anyone can read the content of newsgroups, although only registered users can start a group.
https://groups.yahoo.com/
