Posted by Jose on 05/05/06 07:36

> I want to know the difference between an ordinary group & a usenet
> group.

Usenet is a subset of the internet; it is something like the original
message board. It is typically accessed through software (a
newsreader) very similar to (and often bundled with) Email software. I
use Netscape 7.2, which is a suite of programs that includes a newsreader.

When the web became popular (the web is another subset of the internet),
somebody figured out that they could make a site that displays usenet
content as a web page, and let people post messages to usenet by posting
on a web page. Often they "brand" it as their own, and in doing so,
they deceive users into thinking they are getting content from the
website, when in fact they are just being given another interface to the
existing usenet newsgroups.

Google bought the Usenet archives and provides an interface to (all?)
groups, but they don't do a good job of it, and they hide what it really
is. "Google groups" are just newsgroups in drag.

> second:- When a new user enters a group he can join that group by
> clicking on the link "Join this group" (joining group is free
> ofcourse). In case of joining a usenet, one has to click "Subscribe to
> this group" What is the difference bet join & subscribe. Does a user
> has to pay for subscription ?

There is no difference.

Subscribing to a Usenet group through a newsreader merely indicates to
the newsreader that it should download messages from the group on
command. A subscription is basically an entry in a file that tells the
newsreader what newsgroup you want to read. The word "Join" makes
people feel like "members" of the website that is palming off the
newsgroup as its own. But it means pretty much the same thing, except
that (I believe) the website keeps track for you.

I think one of the reasons they do this is to confuse people, because
confused people can be sold a bill of goods.

Jose
--
The price of freedom is... well... freedom.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

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