dslreports logo


2.0 What is usenet?

Usenet was created in 1979 by two Duke University graduate students; Tom Truscott, and Jim Ellis; as a way for schools and users to have a mail / news posting system without the expense of ARPANET.

by jggw See Profile
last modified: 2006-12-10 14:14:07

To put it simply, Usenet is a non-centralized system for the exchange of data among a huge array of topics, with each topic split up into "newsgroups". What originally started as text based discussion between users, has led to include the exchange of binaries which include music, photos and video files.

by jggw See Profile edited by swintec See Profile
last modified: 2009-10-20 20:48:38

No one person or group in particular own the usenet, however anyone is able to maintain there own usenet server should they choose to. To explore the rumors of the so-called cabal, please google search "usenet cabal"; and see 2.3a "Usenet Cabal".

by jggw See Profile edited by swintec See Profile
last modified: 2009-10-20 20:56:03

The "Cabal" as it is called was a group of administrators who put order and control during the chaos on usenet during most of the 1980's and early 1990's. This Cabal no longer exists and should not be speculated on. Should you wish to find information regarding the Usenet Cabal of the 1980's or the current rumors of a cabal conspiracy please use Google or refer to this Wikipedia article.

by jggw See Profile
last modified: 2006-12-10 14:37:19

While no one owns usenet, a very small amount of newsgroups are moderated. These newsgroups have charters which everyone, including the moderators, must follow. After a post is made to the newsgroup, it gets emailed to the moderators who will review it and determine if it follows charter guidelines. If it doesn't violate the guidelines, it will then be posted to the newsgroup.

by jggw See Profile
last modified: 2006-12-10 14:44:36

A newsgroup is a discussion group within one of the hierarchies on usenet (alt, sci, free, comp, etc..). When looking at a newsgroup on most newsreaders, the posts generally look like an email inbox and posts when opened look very similar to emails.

by jggw See Profile
last modified: 2006-12-10 14:46:49