How To Get The Most From Usenet

Whether you’re on Usenet newsgroups to research a term paper, get the latest MP3 files, or just argue about politics, it helps to remember one thing: Usenet is part machine, part human. That is, it’s a computer network that organizes information on its own, but it also depends on the smart decisions of millions of people to keep things running as smoothly as possible.

It’s also a social network, with rules and protocols like any other. Learn how to conduct yourself in this society, and your Usenet experience will be more beneficial.

Finding the Right Usenet Newsgroup

Usenet is vast and sometimes a little disorganized, so the Usenet system can seem overwhelming to newcomers. Happily, Usenet’s hierarchical structure keeps things in line. The most popular newsgroups are located within the so-called “big eight” hierarchies: comp, humanities, misc, news, rec, sci, soc, and talk. The alt hierarchy also has many popular newsgroups, but be prepared to do some more digging to find them. Many newsreader programs will let you filter newsgroups by key words; for example, filtering on the keyword “ford” makes it easy to find newsgroups like alt.autos.ford, rec.autos.makers.ford and alt.trucks.ford.

When you find postings that match your topic, note which newsgroups they’re in (many messages are cross-posted to more than one newsgroup). Often, this will lead you to other newsgroups that fit your interests.

Asking Questions and Getting Answers

Chances are that the questions you need to ask have already been answered. Usually, the most common questions and answers are collected in a FAQ (frequently asked questions) document posted to the newsgroup at regular intervals. To find it, search the subject headings for the term “FAQ.” Other places to find FAQs are the .answers group in that hierarchy (for example, soc.answers) and the www.faqs.org website.

If you need to ask a question, remember that many Usenet newsgroups are like ongoing conversations among old friends. Newcomers are always welcome, but demonstrating courtesy and respect in your initial approach will earn you more acceptance and support.

It can take many hours, perhaps even days, for your question to travel about the Usenet, so don’t worry if you don’t see responses right away. Eventually, your question may develop into a discussion thread, with additional facts and clarifications, so be sure to check in once and a while. Once you have the answers you need, you can send a “thank you” e-mail message to the people who helped you (but don’t post “thank you” messages to the newsgroup itself).

Usenet Etiquette – “Netiquette”

Usenet is full of people who want to help, but there are also plenty of bullies who delight in picking on newcomers. People will take you and your question more seriously if you follow some simple rules:

1. Don’t type your message in ALL CAPS. This is the online equivalent of shouting out loud, something you’d never want to do in person.
2. If you’re responding to someone else’s message, quote the relevant portion in your reply. Don’t quote the entire message, only the portion that helps people understand your response.
3. Never attack another user personally; avoid name-calling and other insults. And if someone insults you, don’t respond. It will only start a “flame war” that can drag the discussion off-topic, which doesn’t help you or anyone else.
4. When posting a question, be sure to provide enough background information to help someone understand what you’re asking, but avoid excessive detail.
5. Make your subject line specific enough so that it flags down the people who have the answer you need. A subject line like “Mercedes problem, can you help?” won’t help as much as “Manual needed for 1980 Mercedes 300SD.”
6. Check your spelling and grammar. Nothing will undermine your credibility faster than poor spelling.

Special Netiquette for Binaries Newsgroups

Special newsgroups, mainly the alt.binaries.* hierarchy, have been set aside for traffic in binary files, such as MP3s and JPEGs. Because binaries are so large, they can cause problems for some users and networks. Always follow these simple rules:

1. Never post binary files to newsgroups that aren’t meant for them. Many network systems will filter them out anyway.
2. Some binaries newsgroups have a companion newsgroup for discussions, file requests, FAQs, etc. For example, the newsgroup alt.binaries.pictures.fine-art has a discussion board at alt.binaries.pictures.fine-art.d. If you find such a group, use it for non-binary posts.