Usenet Terminology

• Usenet is often referred to as the news, or netnews, although there is little real news in the same sense as that contained in a newspaper
• The clarinet news groups contain information which is more akin to what we think of as news - but this service charges a fee
• Usenet discussion groups are referred to as newsgroups, or, more simply, groups
• Within each group, individual contributions are called articles or postings
• When you submit an article to a newsgroup, we say that you post the article
• Original articles plus follow ups are called threads
• When you submit an article to more than one newsgroup, this constitutes cross-posting
• Often, discussions get out of control and degenerate into diatribes and exchanges of insults and personal attacks
• These articles are called flames and corresponding threads are called flame wars