Newsgroups
Newsgroups are discussion groups on particular topics in the Internet. The spectrum of topics ranges from scuba diving to tips on model railways. Your Web Browser supplies you with a "Newsreader," i.e. a program for using such Newsgroups. If you use Netscape Communicator, simply open Netscape Messenger and click "Newsgroups." An overview of all the Newsgroups available from your Internet provider is then displayed. You can imagine a Newsgroup to be a radio station in the Internet that transmits news about a given topic within the entire Internet.
 
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The topic spectrum of a Newsgroup can mostly be recognized by its classification or a shortening, for example:

comp Computer
rec Recreation
news News
soc Social
sci Science
misc Miscellaneous alt Alternative (mostly "exotic" topics) de German Newsgroups

If your Internet provider does not offer you direct access to a group of your choice, or if you simply want to orientate yourself, use a search engine. In the segment "Search engines" in the module "Information in the Internet" you can learn how to use search engines. For the search criterion simply type "+ fountain pen + Newsgroup" (if you are interested in fountain pens).

However, there are also specialised search engines for Newsgroups, for example "Google" which Acquires Deja's Usenet Archive (click the logo to activate this search engine).

Many Newsgroups release a "FAQ" - a compilation of the most relevant questions and answers. "FAQ" stands for "Frequently Asked Questions" and, together with the questions, comprises examplary answers in order of topic. These FAQ compilations can mostly be recognized by the extension "answers," e.g. "rec.answers or "soc.answers."
 


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