USENET News – 1st Fast and Free
USENET (short for users’ network) is not actually a part of the Internet, but it uses the Internet to propagate itself. USENET News is made up of all the machines that receive network news groups, which are something like computer discussion groups or forums. People who have access to these USENET news groups can read messages, post messages, and reply to a particular poster, among other things.
There are currently over 9,000 news groups. News groups have names made up of several components, separated by periods. The different components tell you something about the topic of discussion in the group, with the left-most name component being the most general and the right-most name component being the most specific.
The most general of the name components are the so-called “top-level” names or hierarchies. These hierarchies are well established and new top-level hierarchies are created very rarely. The most commonly used hierarchies include the following:
| HIERARCHY
comp |
DESIGNATES
Computer-related topics |
Guidelines to Posting
Keep your line length under 80 characters (the maximum line length of some displays). Use mixed case, because text in all uppercase is hard to read and is generally used for emphasis in your message. A message in all uppercase is considered shouting and should be avoided. Commercial advertising is not permitted on netnews groups. Some forms of advertising do occur on the netnews groups but a blatant advertisement posted to inappropriate groups is not a good idea. Posting an e-mail message without the sender’s permission is greatly frowned on and may in fact violate copyright restrictions.
Get to know a group before posting. Read the group’s frequently-asked questions list (if any), and a few days’ worth of articles. Do some research before you ask for help; then describe what you’ve already done to solve your problem. Don’t ask for help in a group you aren’t willing to read (at least temporarily). Don’t attempt to share late-breaking news announcementsÑUsenet isn’t that fast.
Frequently Asked Questions Lists (FAQS) from Newsgroups
Many Usenet news groups maintain FAQ section, or Frequently Asked Questions listings, which attempt to collect the accumulated wisdom of the news groups. These are intended to provide handy collections of facts on particular subjects, as well as to cut down on the number of new news group readers asking the same questions that have been answered a thousand times before in the news groups. It is highly recommended that you read the FAQ for a news group (provided there is one) before posting a question. Regular news group readers (i.e. the most knowledgeable ones) get awfully tired of reading and responding to the same questions over and over again, and will often be quite rude to “newbies” whose questions could have been answered by reading the FAQ.
Aside from their value as a means of cutting back pointless question and answer sessions, FAQs are one of the most valuable sources of information available on the Internet. The material contained in FAQs typically represents what most people want to know about a specific subject, as the material is distilled from the ongoing stream of questions encountered in discussion groups.
The FAQs for Usenet news groups are typically posted monthly in their “home” discussion group, but there are also special “Answers” news groups that consist entirely of FAQs from various other news groups.
Some of these are:
| Group
alt.answers |
Category
As if anyone on alt has the answers. (Moderated) |
World Wide Web
The newest information service on the Internet at this time is the World Wide Web (WWW). The Web is a land of hypertext, color graphics, digital video, maps and lots of information. The WWW is a system of servers on the Internet tied together by hypertext links. Hypertext is a technology for linking collections of documents. With a Web browser, you will be able to look at these documents called “web pages.”
“The Web” is surely the most exciting service available, but we will limit our discussion of it here as it is very simple to use and understand, and is much better explained through experience.
How to Setup Dialup Modem in 5 Easy Steps
Setting up a dialup modem on a PC might seem like a daunting task, especially for those who have never done it before. However, with the right steps, it is possible to set up a dialup modem quickly and easily. In this article, we will go through the steps required to set up a dial-up modem on a PC.
Step 1: Check for Compatibility
Before setting up a dialup modem on a PC, you need to ensure that your computer is compatible with the modem. Check the specifications of your PC to see if it has a dial-up modem slot. If your computer does not have an internal modem, you can purchase an external modem and connect it to the PC using a USB cable.
Step 2: Install the Dialup Modem
Once you have a modem that is compatible with your computer, you need to install it. If it’s an external modem, connect it to the PC using the USB cable provided. For internal modems, switch off the computer and open up the computer’s case to locate the slot for the modem. Once you have located the slot, gently insert the modem into the slot, making sure it is securely in place.
Step 3: Install the Modem Drivers
After installing the modem, you need to install the modem drivers. The modem drivers are software programs that allow the modem to communicate with the PC. Most modems come with a CD containing the modem drivers. Insert the CD into the computer’s CD/DVD drive and follow the prompts to install the drivers. If you don’t have a CD, you can download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
Step 4: Configure the Modem
Once the modem drivers are installed, you need to configure the modem. Open the Control Panel on your PC and select the option for ‘Phone and Modem Options.’ Click on the ‘Modems’ tab and select the modem you have installed. Click on ‘Properties’ and select the ‘Advanced’ tab. Here you can set the maximum speed of the modem, and other settings such as flow control and error control.
Step 5: Set up the Dialup Connection
The final step in setting up a dialup modem on a PC is to set up the dial-up connection. Open the Control Panel and select the option for ‘Network and Internet.’ Click on ‘Internet Options’ and select the ‘Connections’ tab. Click on ‘Add’ and select ‘Dial-up Connection.’ Follow the prompts to set up the connection, entering the phone number and login details provided by your ISP.
Once you have completed the steps outlined above, you should be able to use your dialup modem to connect to the internet. To connect to the internet using the dial-up modem, simply click on the dial-up connection icon on your desktop or in the network settings, enter your username and password, and click ‘Connect.’
In conclusion, setting up a dialup modem on a PC is not as complicated as it may seem. With the right steps, anyone can set up a dialup modem and connect to the internet. Remember to check for compatibility, install the modem, install the modem drivers, configure the modem, and set up the dialup connection. Once you have completed these steps, you should be able to connect to the internet using your dial-up modem.
