Using Newsgroups at Stanford
Overview
Newsgroups are electronic bulletin boards where messages can be posted via email or other electronic tools, such as Netscape, to permit the exchange of information and discussion on a particular subject.
How do they work? Items are posted to a newsgroup just like email messages. The difference is that newsgroup postings are not delivered to anyone's electronic mail account, but instead can be read by anyone with a newsreader. A newsreader is a program that allows newsgroups to be accessed for reading and posting.
Different newsreaders
Newsreaders are available in many forms. One of the most commonly used means of accessing newsgroups at Stanford is via Netscape which, in addition to being a Web browser, includes a newsreader and an email program. Internet Explorer can also read newsgroups; in recent versions it does so by invoking Outlook or Outlook Express. Anyone with a Stanford Unix account can also use either the trn or tin newsreaders by typing the word "tin" or "trn" (without quotes) at the command line of any Unix system that accesses Stanford's central Unix computer system. Some find the tin program more user-friendly, while others prefer the features of trn. Additionally, it is possible to read and post to newsgroups from within the Pine email program (type "pine" at the Stanford Unix logon prompt). Popular newsreader software for the Mac and PC can be obtained as separate stand-alone items, either as freeware, shareware, or a commercial purchase.
Using Netscape for newsgroups
What follows is a somewhat generic explanation, since the exact details vary among the different versions of Netscape. The specific instructions below are from Netscape v4.7.
To start:
From the Netscape menu (top bar), under Communicator choose Newsgroups. (In earlier versions, the initial menu choice was Windows and the option was Netscape News.) If you get an "Error: you have no permission to talk" message, go to Edit --> Options -->Preferences and choose Newsgroup Servers. (In earlier versions, the route was Options.Mail and News Preferences -->Server.) Make sure that the news server is designated as "nntp.stanford.edu" rather than simply "news" or anything else. You should also check Identity to be sure that your own name and email account are listed there, rather than someone else's. This matters because whoever is listed in this area will appear as the author of whatever postings are sent to a newsgroup.
Listing newsgroups:
The left-hand pane of the Netscape Newsgroup window will show the newsgroup server(s) you have specified and the newsgroups to which you have subscribed. If the newsgroup you want is not listed, then you will have to subscribe to it. How this is done varies slightly, depending on which version of Netscape you have and whether it is on a Macintosh or PC.
Adding and subscribing to a newsgroup:
Right click on the newsgroup server (nntp.stanfo rd.edu).
(In earlier versions, the path was File -->Add Newsgroup.) Select "Subscribe
to newsgroups." This opens a window that lists available newsgroups. Follow
the train to "su" and then to "su.<categoryname>" (such
as "su.class") and then to the name or subject of the newsgroup. Selecting
the newsgroup should add it to the list of newsgroups displayed.
This displays the newsgroup, but there is another important step. You must
subscribe to the displayed newsgroup that you have added in order for it to
appear on your list each time Netscape Newsgroups is checked, and so Netscape
will update the contents. On the Mac, you need to click in the column to the
right of the newsgroup name that has a colored check mark at the top. When
you see a check mark appear in this column beside the newly-added newsgroup,
that group is subscribed ... but only on the computer you are using at the
time. In Netscape v4.7, when you highlight the newsgroup you seek, Subscribe
is an option to the right of the newsgroup list. In other versions of Netscape
for Windows, the process is similar to that for the Mac, while in still others,
a right-button mouse click on the newsgroup name will cause a short menu to
appear, which will include a Subscribe option that you can then click.
Posting to a newsgroup:
The simplest way to post to a newsgroup is to send ordinary email addressed to the newsgroup (that is, the name of the newsgroup followed by its server). For example, su.class.history48q@nntp.stanford.edu You can also post from within the newsreader software. In Netscape 4.7, Ctrl-R permits you to respond to the message you are reading. Right-clicking on the highlighted message leads to a long list of options, including responding to the newsgroup, responding to whoever posted the message you are reading, and more. Alternatively, you can simply select New Msg or Reply, which will then open a window that enables you to post a message.
Once you have sent your message, it may appear instantly, or it may take longer. If you do not see it for awhile, be patient! Many people repeat messages, thinking the first try has failed, with the result that the same message is posted repeatedly, much to everyone's frustration. Also, note that once a message has been posted to a newsgroup, it normally cannot be deleted. Be sure you put what you want there! Note, too, that while various newsgroups at Stanford are restricted to the Stanford community, you should compose every message you write as if it were public. Think carefully before you post.
Threading Replies:
One advantage of newsgroups over email is that discussions can be threaded. Threading simply means that replies to a message can be made to appear alongside the original. In most versions of Netscape, threading appears as indentations of replies to a higher level (earlier) message. There can be multiple replies to any message, so if there have been replies to a new posting and then replies to the first series of replies, you might see several levels of indentation in the message list window. This reflects the structure of the discussion around the original posting. To post a threaded reply (rather than a new posting), select (highlight) the message to which you wish to reply. Then, right-click and select Reply to Newsgroup.
