Newsgroups, also known as UseNet, are a public discussion area. Their address will start with the news: prefix. You can send messages to a newsgroup, receive replies, and read other messages, questions and answers alike. Newsgroups are similar to E-Mail, in that the messages are E-Mail, and can therefore use the same features (such as attached files, etc.) as a standard E-Mail message. The big difference between Newsgroups and E-Mail is that everyone can read your Newgroup message while your E-Mail is private.
Check out DejaNews, a web-based Newsgroup search and send/reply site. From there you can obtain a list of all newsgroups, and you can send messages and reply to others.
If you have Netscape Navigator 2.0/Communicator 4.0, Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0, or Quarterdeck Internet Suite, you will also have access to newsgroups. In Netscape Navigator, go to Netscape News in the Window menu. In Netscape Communicator, go to the Communicator menu and select Discussion Groups (may also be Collabra). Newsgroups are available from the Mail and News button on the MSIE3.0 toolbar, or from the icon in the Start Menu. Use Quarterdeck Message Center (QMC) for Newsgroups in Quarterdeck Internet Suite.
Another popular Newsgroup program in FreeAgent. It is freeware and can be downloaded from any of the shareware sites listed on the Links Page. FreeAgent is also contained on the ThinkQuest CD. Go to the cdromdrive:\web\winware directory and view the index.htm file in your browser. Select Newsreaders and download FreeAgent from that page.
Best viewed with Netscape Navigator/Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer although it is viewable with any browser! Suggested viewing parameters: 800x600 resolution with 65,536 colors (Hi-color).
