Module 2: Newsgroups

Alright. I posted a cranky paragraph on Newsgroups over the weekend which I have since deleted. I have gotten over the grumpiness I have felt doing this Newsgroups task and now I am ready to blog it in its entirety.

After watching a few groups, joining a couple (only to discover they hadn't been visited in over a year) and finally posting on one I can celebrate that I have finished with Newsgroups. Never to return!

I thought Google Groups was good, until I ventured into a few topics and was bombarded with spam. And not the kind of spam a lady such as myself appreciates. If I want smut, I'm well aware that it's just a click away. I don't need it advertised to me in between gardening tips for the vegetable grower and how to control aphids.

These last few days, I felt like I never really gave newsgroups a chance. I honestly cannot see the point, it just isn't for me. I was so frustrated that I had to post something, I chose a mundane field and just wrote a few sentences. I hope this is sufficient.

It is here that I will thank both Kylie and Vicki for their help. Vicki offered me some very sound advice regarding security and Kylie sent me a link that was excellent. http://www.usenet.com.au/index.php Without this help, I fear my cranky post from the weekend would have stuck around and I wouldn't have even come back to it.

Originally I thought the differences between Email Lists and Newsgroups was the threading, I now know that there is more. Email Lists are more controlled groups, and there is a moderator. You, as the moderator can remove people if you wish. Newsgroups are in most cases, open to anyone. There was the rare group that was restricted or moderated, but most were open when I looked.

I didn't find following particular groups very helpful. They tend to get off topic very easily and the style of communication didn't agree with me. I will keep an eye on what happens in my little family group and see what people add over the next few weeks, but long term, I can't see myself as a joiner.