The Internet seems to be changing so fast no one can keep up with new websites and mediums for communication. At the same time, there are a few tried-and-true solutions and Usenet is one of them. Many people have no idea what it is, but over the past few years has been making a comeback. It is full of useful resources which are hidden from the vast majority of Internet users. While many similar platforms have long gone by the wayside, Usenet is once again getting stronger.
What is Usenet?
There are a number of misconceptions surrounding Usenet, what it is and how it operates. In its most basic form, it is a network of newsgroups which have all been divided into very specific categories based upon their topic. It is comprised of articles, messages, and conversations.
Usenet is Similar to a Giant Compilation of Interconnected Forums
Administrator’s have control over their newsgroups. At the same time, they have no responsibility to any of the others. Instead of a broad forum which covers multiple topics, it is like a combination of multiple forums on very specific topics.
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Articles are the Main Information on Usenet
Usenet is made of text based discussions and articles. Millions of articles are submitted and tagged through all of the applicable networks or topics. The range of topics almost seems endless as they cover everything from politics to philosophy. Anyone who is an information junkie could spend years reading all of the text discussions and articles on Usenet and not even scratch the surface of the content available.
Usenet Could Be Considered the Original Social Network
Usenet and today’s popular social networks have a lot in common. The primary difference is Usenet is a resource for information and discussions whereas social networks are all about interactions with friends. The similarities are a lot more striking. Users organize themselves based upon their own preferences, interests, and discussions. Once an article is posted or discovered on a newsgroup, all interested participants will leave value added comments designed to enhance the discussion.
Usenet is Constantly Changing
Just as the Internet has evolved, so has Usenet. While it is still home to an ever-growing collection of information and articles, a variety of tools have been developed to make using it easier. Over the past several years, there have been a number of significant improvements made to newsgroup. Plus, there are now standalone service providers rather than having to rely on a poorly maintained infrastructure provided by an ISP.