Posted by Jonathan N. Little on 01/31/42 11:44

Richard wrote:
> Hi Jonathan,
>
>> Usenet predates the Web
>
> I accept that.
>
>> but is a different service than the WWW aka Web.
>
> But I think the service you're talking about uses UUCP protocol, or
> something like that. But I use Google Groups via HTTP, the Web
> protocol. As I'm typing this, I see in the Address bar:
> "http://groups.google.com/group/comp.infosystems.www.authoring.stylesheets/...".

Did you not recall my previous statement:

"DejaVue and now Google just repackage the content into a webpage for
folks without newsserver access or those who are unaware of such access."

Usenet, like email is a separate service and and different protocol
(kinda like language for the service, NNTP for news and SMPT and POP3
for email) that predates the 'Web' HTTP the making of (graphic web pages).

>
>
> There may be some lower-level protocol that drives Usenet, but *I*
> wouldn't have known about if the higher-level HTTP didn't allow my
> Google search to turn up a Usenet group in my browser.
>

I wouldn't really call it higher level, just a different protocol. Kind
of like TV and radio and wireless Ethernet. All use the common medium,
electromagnetic radiation but the service and protocols are different.

You may get email via a webpage with webmail and Usenet via a webpage
via a webpage with Google Groups but the process must be converted
first. Usenet as email does not use HTTP protocol it must be access via
the native protocol and Google or whatever must have a program to
convert and reformat the data into a webpage.

> That's why I celebrate the Web. It is the techology at that allowed me
> to discover and ultimately access this NG (among many other things).
> You and others may access it in a different manner, but I remain
> blissfully ignorant about that except for the few details you and the
> other guys imparted.
>
> So has my perception gotten an enhanced standing in your eyes, or
> should we just agree to disagree and go on trying to make computers do
> neat tricks?

I guess the important point here is that Usenet requires NNTP, Google
Group is just Usenet data reformatted into a webpage but does not
replace Usenet.

--
Take care,

Jonathan
-------------------
LITTLE WORKS STUDIO
http://www.LittleWorksStudio.com

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