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Shakespeare once wrote, "A newsgroup by any other name would smell as sweet." (Or something like that.) Which is to say the term "newsgroup" is just one way to describe a particular Internet phenomenon. Other names include online discussion groups, Web forums and message boards. Each of these is basically the same thing, a place online to read and post messages related to a single topic. Discussion groups differ from chat rooms in that the messages travel back and forth a bit slower and they are usually archived for a fairly long period of time. This makes newsgroups good places to gather information on a topic, even if you don't have anything to contribute to the conversation. The specific term "newsgroup" is usually associated with Usenet, the mother of all online forums. The thousands
of discussion groups in this system are some of the most active in the world. In fact, Usenet predates the Web by about 20 years and exists outside of the universe of HTML. That means it requires a separate piece of software if you'd like to participate. Don't worry, these days most browsers come with "news readers" included, although you may have to ask your Internet service provider for the address of the local news host. Once you're connected, you'll find groups covering just about every topic under the sun. The content of Usenet is definitely as varied and volatile as the rest of the Internet. Maybe even more so. As to the similarities between newsgroups and the McLaughlin Group: They've got more in common than you might think. The opinions are strong, the dialogue is fascinating,
and tempers often flare. So, if you're going to dive into Internet newsgroups, make sure you sharpen your wits before you open your mouth. Next issue!
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