Using Newsgroups

The term Newsgroup typically refers to an online discussion area where people may post, read, and respond to messages, using appropriate software. The software for accessing a newsgroup is usually called a newsreader. Usenet refers to a worldwide, public network of distributed newsgroups. Distributed newsgroups are broadcast to interconnected computer systems using a wide variety of networks. There are many thousands of these newsgroups. For detailed information on Usenet, see FAQS.org or Usenet.org.

Private newsgroups, like the ESC newsgroup, are not distributed through Usenet. In most cases, the differences between a private newsgroup and a Usenet newsgroup will not be immediately obvious to the person reading or posting messages, but it may require a slightly different method of access. In order to get access to Usenet newsgroups, you may need to subscribe to an online service provider which receives all or some of the distributed newsgroups and makes them available to its subscribers. To get access to a private newsgroup, you simply need to log onto the serverServer Name: esc.newsgrouphosting.com
esc.public is the ESC's public newsgroup.
Some newsreaders may require you to use a URL like this: news://esc.newsgouphosting.com/esc.public
The server requires you to log on. It does NOT require Secure Password Authentication. To set up your log on information, or access the newsgroup as a web forum, go to http://esc.newsgrouphosting.com/ where the newsgroup resides, using your newsreader.

Some private newsgroups are open to the public. That is, anyone using a newsreader may participate. The ESC's public newsgroup is one of these. (Other private newsgroups may be limited to members logging in with a special password.)

One of the advantages of a private newsgroup is that, by not being distributed to thousands of systems, it is found only by those who intentionally visit. Thus, private newsgroups are much less likely to be bothered by off-topic and "spam" messages, and will not be collected by Usenet-archiving websites. As an added precaution, the ESC newsgroup uses filtering software to keep out unwanted material, and the webmaster has the option to remove inappropriate messages and block nuisance posters from the group. This ensures a friendly and enjoyable experience.

The address for the ESC's newsgroup is news://esc.newsgrouphosting.com. In many cases, if you simply click on the link or enter this address into your Web browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, etc.), you will be able to access the group. However, many people prefer to use specialized newsreader software.

AOL Users: AOL's software will not access any private newsgroups. (It allows only newsgroups distributed via Usenet.) However, if you are logged into AOL, you can still access newsgroups by using a separate newsreader.

A list of newsreaders, with ratings, is available at cws.internet.com/news.html.

Don't Like Newsgroups?

If you don't like reading newsgroups or can't access them from your computer, you can use ESC's easy web forum instead. All the newsgroup messages appear on web pages in your browser, in a format similar to the most popular online message boards. The link is http://esc.newsgrouphosting.com.