By Gary Kirchherr
The Internet does not begin and end with the World Wide Web. But as one who has followed media reports about the Net the last couple of years, I don't think most journalists realize this.
Every time I read or hear a news story on the subject, the Web seems to be the focus of attention. Even locally, the Macatawa Area Free-Net has got a lot of press because it offers low-cost (even free) access to the Web. When a governmental body established a Web site, it's news.
As well it should be. Having access to countless information sites is great. But lost in the hoopla is a more exciting and dynamic part of the Internet: Usenet.
The "User's Nework" is a series of about 20,000 virtual bulletin boards, or "newsgroups." The newsgroups themselves have a series of topics, or "threads," which Net users can read and even contribute to if they are so inclined. The result is a dynamic, active series of exchanges based on every possible interest or topic.
Sure, hopping from Web page to Web page can be mildly amusing. But newsgroup participants are engaged in ongoing discussions and debates. And unlike online services' "chat rooms," simultaneous participation isn't necessary. You can browse and post to newsgroups at your leisure without anyone missing a beat.
How do you post to newsgroups? The best choice by far for the Macintosh is Newswatcher 2.1.2. Navigating newsgroups couldn't possibly be easier than it is with this free application.
Many newsgroups have serious topics and discussion. For example, you can discuss being a mom or dad, and even ask for advice, in alt.parenting.solutions. You can discuss non-Christian faiths in soc.religion.eastern. Perhaps you'd like to talk about Quicktime? Check out comp.multimedia. Do you like a certain unusual outdoor sport? A newsgroup exists for you too: rec.sport.lawnbowling.
Newsgroups worth their salt regularly have posted on them a description of its purpose in question-and-answer format. Such a list is called a FAQ, an acronym for frequently asked questions. FAQs are a good thing to look for and read when you're going into a newsgroup for the first time; posting off-topic or really stupid questions will invite "flames," or sharply worded criticisms, from the newsgroup's regulars.
The opposite of such serious newsgroups are those that are just plain, well, silly. I've peeked in the newsgroup alt.alien.vampire.flonk.flonk.flonk a few times, and I still can't figure out what purpose, if any, it serves. Then there's alt.devilbunnies. The FAQ says: "We are a newsgroup devoted to stopping a quiet and hostile takeover of the Earth by the powerful, unimaginably evil, disgustingly cute Devilbunnies." Whatever.
In between the two extremes I've found a middle ground of (usually) lighthearted discussion of popular topics. The most heavily posted-to newsgroup I've found to date is alt.tv.simpsons. Only those desperately needing a life can keep up with the dozens and dozens of posts a day this group generates. Personally, I prefer alt.tv.simpsons.itchy-scratchy, a more manageable discussion of the ultraviolent cartoon-within-a-cartoon. And because I'm a faithful watcher of "Star Trek: Deep Space 9," it shouldn't surprise anyone that I frequent alt.fan.major.kira.pant.pant.pant.
My favorite newsgroup, though, is the indelicately titled alt.aol-sucks. Despite the rather sophomoric moniker, most of the regulars there engage in interesting and thoughtful debate about the popular online service. The arguments can tend to get nasty and personal, as they can in any newsgroup that inspires passions on both sides. Groups like this definitely aren't for the thin-skinned.
Parents need to be aware that language in any newsgroup can tend to get a bit, er, graphic. Heck, some newsgroup names themselves can be very graphic. In addition, the Internet has a myriad of clueless morons who post ads for pyramid schemes and sex-chat lines in every newsgroup they can find. Unfortunately, no one has come up with a panacea for "spamming," as it's known in Usenet circles.
A final note: Some Internet servers have discussion groups set up as a newsgroup, but which is available only to subscribers of a particular Internet account. One such newsgroup is mafn.general, which is available only to Macatawa Area Free-Net members logged on to their accounts. Those with Free-Net accounts can participate in discussions with MAFN subscribers and board members - your friends and neighbors. Not surprisingly, the chat is usually pretty clean!