newsgroup

A newsgroup is a categorized discussion area that originated on Usenet, a globally distributed network of servers. Members post articles that other users can read and respond to, creating threaded discussions. Groups are organized into hierarchies such as comp.*, sci.*, rec.*, talk.*, and alt.*; the top-level categories organize broad topics, while the dotted identifiers denote more specific subsections. Some groups are moderated, with a designated moderator approving posts before distribution; most are unmoderated.

Communication is carried via the Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP). Articles posted to a group are distributed from server to server, allowing participants around the world to access the same discussions. Users typically read and post with newsreaders, though there are web-based gateways and portals that provide access. In addition to text discussions, binary newsgroups (for example, alt.binaries.*) were used to share non-text content, such as images and software, which placed greater demand on bandwidth and server storage.

History and influence: Usenet and its newsgroups emerged in the late 1980s as a decentralized, text-based forum for technical and general discussion, predating the World Wide Web. It helped shape online culture and provided early space for special interest communities. Over time, moderation challenges and the rise of web forums, mailing lists, and social media led to a decline in mainstream use, though many groups remain active and are preserved by archival services and academic institutions.

Access and etiquette: access to newsgroups is today offered by some providers through paid or limited NNTP services or via gateways to web interfaces. Community guidelines and netiquette influence posting practices, including group-specific charters and rules against inappropriate cross-posting.