Newsgroups

[louigey]

can you tell me anything about newsgroups on the internet

[cupra]

How long is a pice of string.....!

Most ISP's have a news server (but not all) where, using an appropriate 'news reader' (Outlook Express and many more) you can access discussions on many varied groups. (...or indeed you can use Google Groups if you don't mind delays!)

The whole notion of Usenet is that it is a (mostly) unmoderated medium where you are pretty free to speak your own mind to a certain extent. Most newsgroups have a 'charter/FAQ' where they outline what is and what isn't generally accepeted in discussion - take note because if you fail to adhere, you're likely to get 'flamed' by other users and told where to go!

There are also general guidelines on how to post to a newsgroup - have a look at the link below. An interesting phenonomen is the 'troll' - someone who deliberately posts to elicit a response. If you attract a reply from a troll, don't take it personally - ignore them and they normally go away!

Be careful with what you post as your ISP will have acceptable use policies and posting spam/racist/libellous/etc.. messages will get your account cancelled.

If you want a free account that acesses text only newsgroups ('binaries' contain files), try the link below (or contact your ISP):

http://news.individual.net/

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=navclient&
ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=usenet+faq

[archbishop]

cupra - sounds like this site.

[cupra]

Lol, archbishop! Have a look at uk.rec.football and you'll see the difference!