WEB RESOURCES:

The majority of newsgroups are part of Usenet., which provides a forum for discussing a wide range of topics.

There are more than 10 major hierarchies of newsgroups, such as recreation (rec.) with subcategories (rec.arts) and further sub-categories (rec.arts.books). Some are used only in a home country (like Scot, used in Scotland). Every state in the United States has its own top-level category, and so do many colleges, universities, and large corporations (CNN = Cable News Network).

In order to subscribe or unsubscribe to one, the first thing you need is the name of your ISP's (Internet Service Provider) newsgroups server, if it has one. If it doesn't, you will have to use a search engine for newsgroups like DejaNews(which is now GoogleGroups) or AltaVista. These engines usually provide you with an option allowing you to search newsgroups for postings that may interest you.

The second thing you need is already built into your browser -- a newsgroup reader. Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer have one. You can use these or more specialised readers like Forte free agent.. If you still don't find one, Shareware can help.

Instructions for subscribing to a newsgroup are available for Netscape and IE users.

Now for maintaining newsgroup etiquette. If you are a regular chatter, it will not be difficult to understand basic rules of interaction within a newsgroup. For example, replying to someone in capital letters signifies rudeness or anger. A newsgroup is a self-governing community with its own code of conduct and you can find out more here or here.

Bubbles, my pet parrot, has his own newsgroup where members, apparently, discuss the positive effect of parrots on humans. I refuse to subscribe to it.

Additional Links: Indian Newsgroups

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