"Usenet?! What's Usenet?"

Ask a typical web user to describe Usenet and more often then not, that's the answer you'll get. Usenet newsgroups are the best resource on the net for technical information, news, good commentary and heated discussions.

Newsgroups, discussion groups, forums....Usenet is often referred to by all these names. From it's start in the late 1970's as a text based information exchange medium, to it's current iteration, with over 80,000 groups available, Usenet is an ever evolving medium. It's a place to meet and discuss the latest news, sports, medicine, computer hardware and software, the list goes on and on.

Within hours of a new piece of hardware or software hitting the store shelves, you can find user feedback in the newsgroups. If you are purchasing a new video card or other piece of equipment, there is almost always someone with similar systems who can guide you past all the problems you might encounter.

There is a wealth of information on Usenet, a lot of it even more current then the web. There are groups covering virtually every conceivable hobby or personal interest. There are technical groups with more practical information then you could ever find on the web.

Many groups are medically oriented, providing support for all different types of illnesses and conditions. You can visit these groups and not feel alone. Invariably, many others have encountered the same problems and are willing to share their experiences.

Groups may be moderated, where a person or group of people monitor posts and eliminate off-topic or posts in poor taste. Most groups are unmoderated and discussions can lead into all different tangents, sometimes getting very heated.

Let's move on to the Binary Newsgroups....

or let's jump straight to setting up a new Usenet account with Outlook Express