ERIC SPELLMANN

The Biggest Online Community, part 2

Last update I discussed the wonderful world of “Usenet”. Billed as the planet’s largest bulletin board, this system allows anyone on the internet to view messages from anyone else.

As a little review, remember that the Usenet is divided into thousands of newsgroups, or sub-bulletin boards. Each newsgroup exists to discuss one particular topic. The organization of these newsgroups is hierarchical. In other words, a newsgroup with the name of “rec” is for discussions on all things recreational. Rec.Humour, therefore, would be for joke-telling.

Think of a Usenet message (posting) as “public e-mail”. Usenet messages look exactly like e-mail messages except they aren’t “sent” to an e-mail address; they are “posted” to a newsgroup. Because of the danger of viruses, only plain-text messages are allowed on the Usenet. Since all viruses are binary, not plain text, this seems pretty safe. After all, you can’t get a virus by reading a text message.

That fear, though, prevented the exchange of legitimate programs and other binary files; so, someone invented the process of “uuencoding” (yes, the word begins with two Us). Uuencoding allows a binary file to be changed to a plain text format so that it can be posted to the Usenet. A person on the receiving end can download the uuencoded file and, using a special program, uuDEcode it back to its original binary form.

Most Usenet readers have this capability built in, and most of the time the uuencoding and uudecoding is invisible to the user. For instance, in the newer versions of Netscape and Internet Explorer, if you happen upon a uuencoded file, they will automatically uudecode them so you can view (or listen) to them. Two newsgroups that contain uuencoded files are alt.binaries.clipart and alt.binaries.sounds.mp3

Be careful, though. Remember, anyone can post ANYTHING to newsgroups. No moderator exists. Sometimes, you might find inappropriate pictures or pirated songs in the newsgroups.

Because of this free-for-all Usenet attitude, another problem exists: SPAM. Anytime you have received junk e-mail or seen an advertisement on the Usenet, you have been “spammed”. A person that sends such drivel is a “spammer”.

However, quite a few people are tempted into the “spam industry” by the seemingly free nature of the internet. After all, when a person can post a message, viewed by millions, at no cost, why not use it for advertising?

As I’ve stated before, the internet is like a wild west town with no sheriff. When a crime is committed, the “townspeople” take care of it. And, in the case of the internet, many of the vigilante townspeople are talented hackers. Trust me, that’s the last group of people you want coming after you.

My point is that whatever you do, DON’T advertise in the newsgroups. Use them as they were meant to be used, to facilitate the exchange of useful information between like-minded people.

So, what do you do if your internet service provider does not have Usenet access? Check out some of the free Usenet services available. My favourite is Google Groups. You can participate in many of the discussions. However, binary files cannot be decoded.

If you are brand new to the Usenet, visit news.announce.newusers FIRST. And, before posting to ANY newsgroup, read its FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document. Check them out at the Internet FAQ Archive.

Be careful. The Usenet can be a bit addictive. Have fun!

I’ll see you in cyberspace!

http://www.EricSpellmann.com

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