Newsgroup

Newsgroup

A UseNet discussion forum relating to a specific subject or topic. Newsgroups are public discussion forums. In order to participate in a newsgroup forum, you will need a newsgroup reader (of which many are freely available). Each Newsgroup (of which there are many thousands) consist of electronic messages, called posts. Each post can either be to create a new discussion thread or may be in response to an existing discussion thread.

Messages posted to a newsgroup are known as "articles", as each is assigned a unique article-ID (which most newsgroup readers do not make visible). In discussions however messages are more commonly referred to as "posts".

Newsgroups use the NNTP protocol, although some websites exist which provide a web-based (HTTP based) interface to newsgroups.

c.f. multi-post, cross-post.

For more information see:

• www.newsreaders.info - Provides articles on Newsgroups and newsgroup participation.
• http://newsgroups.archived.at/ - Managed newsgroup archive, providing an archive of a limited number of newsgroups.
• www.newzbot.com - For finding a public newsgroup server carrying a particular newsgroup.
• www.giganews.com - GigaNews service, one of the best newsgroup providers.