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Using Newsgroups

The best way to access Usenet is through a newsreader program. You can download one if you like, but your computer probably has one installed aready.

If you are using a Internet Explorer, you can get to newsgroups through the Tools/Mail and News/Read News menu option. If this option does not show up, go to Tools/Internet Options/Programs and make sure there is a program selected for newsgroups. Usually, this will be Outlook or Outlook Express. Alternatively, you can start Outlook (Express) and enter the newsreader directly.

Netscape Navigator and the AOL system have built-in newsreaders, which should be easily accessible from a menu option. 

Once you get your newsreader started, you may be asked some setup questions. The most important question is your news server (also called an "NNTP server"). This tells your newsreader where to find the groups. You will need to find the name of the news server your ISP uses (if you connect to the net through IU, it is news.indiana.edu).

Using Earthlink/Mindspring newsgroups

To find the tutorial for using news with Earthlink/Mindspring accounts, go to http://support.earthlink.net/ and type "news" in the box marked "Knowledge Base Search".

Other newsgroup hints

FAQ's are usually posted to newsgroups on a regular basis (once a month, sometimes once a week). You won't be able to run a search for a FAQ, but you should be able to find one by looking through a few newsgroups.

Often, read-only newsgroups will have "news" or "announce" in their name somewhere.

If you are having trouble setting up your newsreader, as a last resort (just before the sun explodes), you can use a web-based news system. Unfortunately, the web-based systems are not as fast or powerful as dedicated newsreaders. The "least evil" web-based usenet service, groups.google.com, is now fully functional.

Here is an article that discusses advanced usenet features.

Pitfalls to avoid

Don't list websites for the newsgroup assignment. If the name you are putting down has "www" or "http" in it, this is a website, and will not be given credit.