What is the Usenet

A Short answer

The Usenet is a network of servers, that allows public discussions in a mail-like format.

It roughly looks like a e-Mail-Message, which is end to a large number of users, rather then to a single person.

You will find discussion Groups about almost any topic. Browse this site for an overview whats available. In general for almost any area of interst a group will exist. The classical areas are Computing, Science and Recreation.

Usenet is also sometimes called 'Newsgroups' or 'Discussion Forums'

Other discussion Media in the Internet

Compared with the various chat-services the Usenet is relatively slow. Normal response times are hours, sometimes even days. While this requires a bit patience it raises the quality of answers; Posters tend to think before writing.

Mailing-lists are very similar to newsgroups. However in general Newsgroups tend to exist for a longer time while maillists may quickly be set up and as quickly dissapear. It is more complicated to search for old Messages from Mailinglists.

There is also a large number of web-based discussion-boards and 'wikis'. Those work generally well when you have a fast permanent internet-connection.

Messages posted

In most of the Usenet-Groups people ask questions or state some kind of theory and get answers from others. Often these answers cause other replies, which makes the whole thing a discussion.

The Quality of the messages vary widely, however you will find shortly who posts reasonable messages and who posts mainly rubbish. In general the knowledge of the posters is quite high.

If you want to post a message on your own, please read How to Post.

Originally, when the usenet was invented messages were only unformated text. Nowerday many messages are formatted. In many groups binary attachements are not allowed.

There are groups, that are specialized in exchanging binary data. This is also known as the alt.binary groups. These groups are not exactly discussions. -- These groups are the reason, why the reputation of the usenet is sometimes rather bad. News2mail does not provide access to binary groups.

Spamming and Viruses in the Usenet

Unfortunately you will quickly find, that spammers frequently put their stuff into the usenet. It can also be used to send Viruses.

When you receive messages via news2mail.com all attachements are removed, which should normally also remove all viruses. But future viruses may overcome this limit.

Many administrators fight against spamming, so this problem is also smallen then on many mail-addresses.

You should not use your real mail-address in the usenet. Otherwise Spammers will quickly get hold on it.

Technical access