Usenet
Usenet, worldwide computer network that encompasses thousands of discussion groups, called newsgroups, that allow the exchange of news, comments, and questions on specific topics. Usenet was created in 1979 by Duke University graduate students Jim Ellis and Tom Truscott. Most Usenet traffic now travels over the Internet. Usenet has no central management, but people who wish to establish new groups and people who post articles to Usenet groups are expected to observe certain procedures, and the content of some groups is filtered by a moderator, a person who checks messages.
Usenet newsgroups are arranged in a hierarchical structure- that is, they are named in a system of categories and subcategories, from least to most specific. For example, the newsgroup sci.physics.fusion is devoted to the discussion of nuclear fusion (Atom and Atomic Theory), but there are many other groups with the heading sci. and several other groups with the heading sci.physics. Some of the most common general headings are comp., for groups devoted to discussions of computer hardware, software, and other aspects of computer science; sci., for the discussion of topics in science; soc., for groups dealing with social and cultural issues; talk., for debate and discussion of issues; rec., for the discussion of recreational topics like musics, sports, games, and hobbies; and alt., for groups that are not moderated- that is, messages are not checked or filtered by anyone.
Usenet
Usenet (y¡z' net) UseNet USENET noun
A worldwide network of UNIX systems that has a
decentralized administration and is used as a bulletin board system by
special-interest discussion groups. Usenet, which is considered part of
the Internet (although Usenet predates it), is composed of thousands of
newsgroups, each devoted to a particular topic. Users can post messages
and read messages from others in these newsgroups in a manner similar to
users on dial-in BBSs. Usenet was originally implemented using UUCP
(UNIX-to-UNIX Copy) software and telephone
connections; that method remains important, although more modern methods,
such as NNTP and network connections, are more commonly used. BBS,
newsgroup, newsreader, NNTP, UUCP.
denizen (den'i-zen) noun
A participant in a Usenet newsgroup.
IDM release _Alt.Frequencies.4_ compilation CD on Worm Interface #024 (2000)
Newsgroups of personal interest:
alt.2600
alt.agnosticism
alt.alien.research
alt.alien.visitors
alt.alien.wanderers
alt.alien.imprisoned
alt.animals.dolphins
alt.animals.llama
alt.animals.whales
alt.aol-sucks
alt.archaeology
alt.aromatherapy
alt.atari.2600
alt.atlantis
alt.binaries.cracks
alt.binaries.freemasonry
alt.binaries.images.underwater
alt.binaries.paranormal
alt.binaries.pictures.gardens
alt.binaries.sounds.movies
alt.binaries.sounds.mp3.books
alt.binaries.starwars
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alt.bio.hackers
alt.bizarre
alt.bonsai
alt.books.arthur-clarke
alt.books.isaac-asimov
alt.books.james-joyce
alt.coffee
alt.comp.freeware
alt.conspiracy.area51
alt.conspiracy.jfk
alt.conspiracy.microsoft
alt.conspiracy.netcom
alt.cult-movies
alt.cult-movies.alien
alt.culture.internet
alt.culture.jamming
alt.culture.tibet
alt.culture.zippies
alt.cyberpunk
alt.cyberpunk.tech
alt.destroy.microsoft
alt.destroy.the.christian.coalition
alt.disney.criticism
alt.disney.secrets
alt.disney.the-evil-empire
alt.drinks.jolt
alt.drugs.caffeine
alt.drugs.mushrooms
alt.drugs.psychedelics
alt.extropians
alt.fan.andy-kaufman
alt.fan.kevin-mitnick
alt.fan.linus-torvalds
alt.fan.mozilla
alt.fan.philip-dick
alt.fan.weird.actors
alt.flame.landlord
alt.food.coffee
alt.freemasonry
alt.freemasonry.handshakes
alt.fringeware
alt.graphics.photoshop
alt.hacks
alt.hemp
alt.illuminati
alt.immortal
alt.infinity
alt.info-science
alt.info-theory
alt.internet.research
alt.left-handed
alt.lefthanders
alt.legend.atlantis
alt.memetics
alt.metaphysics.alchemy
alt.movies.independent
alt.movies.kubrick
alt.msn.sucks
alt.music.makers.sampling
alt.music.makers.theremin
alt.music.orb
alt.namaste
alt.netcom.sucks
alt.parallel.universes
alt.paranormal.crop-circles
alt.paranormal.pyarmid
alt.psionics
alt.psychology.jung
alt.psychology.synchronicity
alt.sci.nanotech
alt.sci.physics.acoustics
alt.sci.seti
alt.sci.time-travel