List of newsgroups
Encyclopedia
This is a partial list of newsgroups that are significant for their popularity or their position in Usenet
history.
, there are about 100,000 Usenet newsgroup
s, of which approximately a fifth are active. This number varies, depending on the news server
carrying the newsgroups.
and the Great Renaming
for more information.
(fine arts, literature, philosophy, Classical Latin
, etc.).
itself. Examples include:
and entertainment
topics.
Examples include:
, as well as the less formal alt hierarchy.
Usenet
Usenet is a worldwide distributed Internet discussion system. It developed from the general purpose UUCP architecture of the same name.Duke University graduate students Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis conceived the idea in 1979 and it was established in 1980...
history.
, there are about 100,000 Usenet newsgroup
Newsgroup
A usenet newsgroup is a repository usually within the Usenet system, for messages posted from many users in different locations. The term may be confusing to some, because it is usually a discussion group. Newsgroups are technically distinct from, but functionally similar to, discussion forums on...
s, of which approximately a fifth are active. This number varies, depending on the news server
News server
A news server is a set of computer software used to handle Usenet articles. It may also refer to a computer itself which is primarily or solely used for handling Usenet. A reader server provides an interface to read and post articles, generally with the assistance of a news client. A transit...
carrying the newsgroups.
The Big 8 hierarchies
These are the most widely distributed and carefully controlled newsgroup hierarchies. See Big 8 (Usenet)Big 8 (Usenet)
The Big 8 are a group of newsgroup hierarchies established after the Great Renaming, a restructuring of Usenet that took place in 1987. These hierarchies are managed by the Big 8 Management Board...
and the Great Renaming
Great Renaming
The Great Renaming was a restructuring of Usenet newsgroups that took place in 1987. B News maintainer and UUNET founder Rick Adams is generally considered to be the initiator of the Renaming.-Motivation:...
for more information.
humanities
Topics related to the humanitiesHumanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
(fine arts, literature, philosophy, Classical Latin
Classical Latin
Classical Latin in simplest terms is the socio-linguistic register of the Latin language regarded by the enfranchised and empowered populations of the late Roman republic and the Roman empire as good Latin. Most writers during this time made use of it...
, etc.).
misc
Miscellaneous topics. Examples include:- misc.legal.moderated — A moderated legal forum.
- misc.taxes.moderated — A moderated professional tax forum open to the general public.
news
Matters related to the functioning of UsenetUsenet
Usenet is a worldwide distributed Internet discussion system. It developed from the general purpose UUCP architecture of the same name.Duke University graduate students Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis conceived the idea in 1979 and it was established in 1980...
itself. Examples include:
- news.admin.net-abuse.blocklisting — discussion related to the use of blocklists to deal with spam and other unwanted network traffic.
- news.admin.net-abuse.emailNews.admin.net-abuse.emailnews.admin.net-abuse.email is a Usenet newsgroup devoted to discussion of the abuse of email systems, specifically through spam and similar attacks...
— discussion of abuse of email by spammers and other parties.
rec
RecreationRecreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
and entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
topics.
Examples include:
- rec.arts.movies.current-films — The latest movie releases.
- rec.arts.movies.past-films — Past films.
- rec.arts.sf.tv — Discussing general television SF (i.e. science-fiction, or "speculative fictionSpeculative fictionSpeculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as...
"). - rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderatedRec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderatedrec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated is a moderated Usenet newsgroup that focuses on the science fiction television series Babylon 5 and the works of writer J. Michael Straczynski. It was spun off from its un-moderated version, rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5, in 1996...
— discussion of Babylon 5Babylon 5Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
and other projects of J. Michael StraczynskiJ. Michael StraczynskiJoseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
. - rec.arts.tv — The boob tube, its history, and past and current shows, i.e. the main televisionTelevisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
newsgroup. - rec.arts.tv.soaps.cbs — discussion about soap operas broadcast by the CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television network. - rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc — discussion of the TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
. - rec.humor.oracle — Internet humorInternet humorThe Internet has long been a resource for the circulation of humorous ideas and jokes. Countless web-sites are devoted to the collection of Internet humor, and every day e-mail crosses the world, containing the text of humorous articles, or jokes about current events."Internet humor" is...
- rec.sport.cricket — general discussion of world cricket.
- rec.sport.soccer — general discussion of world football (soccer).
- rec.woodworking — general discussion of woodworking.
- rec.arts.tv.x-factor - General discussion of the X-Factor tv show and all its worldwide editions.
talk
Discussion of various topics, especially controversial ones. Examples include:- talk.bizarre — a newsgroup for experiencing the bizarre.
- talk.originsTalk.originstalk.origins is a moderated Usenet discussion forum concerning the origins of life, and evolution...
— evolutionEvolutionEvolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
-creationismCreationismCreationism is the religious beliefthat humanity, life, the Earth, and the universe are the creation of a supernatural being, most often referring to the Abrahamic god. As science developed from the 18th century onwards, various views developed which aimed to reconcile science with the Genesis...
controversy which maintains an extensive FAQ.
The alt hierarchy
This is the most extensive newsgroup hierarchy outside of the Big 8. Examples include:- alt.2600 — Official group for 2600: The Hacker Quarterly2600: The Hacker Quarterly2600: The Hacker Quarterly is an American publication that specializes in publishing technical information on a variety of subjects including telephone switching systems, Internet protocols and services, as well as general news concerning the computer "underground" and left wing, and sometimes ,...
- Alt.Adoption — for adoptionAdoptionAdoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
- alt.arts.poetry.comments — for poetry and poetry critique
- alt.atheismAlt.atheismalt.atheism is a Usenet newsgroup within the alt.*hierarchy that discusses atheism. A survey of usenet groups in 1994–1995 found that, among 70 groups discussing "consciousness, spirituality, and religion ", it was the group with the highest traffic volume...
— discusses atheismAtheismAtheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities... - alt.binaries.bonelessAlt.binaries.bonelessalt.binaries.boneless is a Usenet discussion forum primarily used to transfer binary data content, rather than being used for textual communications....
- alt.binaries.slackAlt.binaries.slackalt.binaries.slack is a Usenet newsgroup created for the purpose of posting pictures, sounds, and utilities related to the Church of the SubGenius, making them available for everyone to see and hear...
— artwork created by and for the Church of the SubGeniusChurch of the SubGeniusThe Church of the SubGenius is a "parody religion" organization that satirizes religion, conspiracy theories, unidentified flying objects, and popular culture. Originally based in Dallas, Texas, the Church of the SubGenius gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s and maintains an active presence on...
. - alt.callahans — Spider RobinsonSpider RobinsonSpider Robinson is an American-born Canadian Hugo and Nebula award winning science fiction author.- Biography :Born in the Bronx, New York City, Robinson attended Catholic high school, spending his junior year in a seminary, followed by two years in a Catholic college, and five years at the State...
's Callahan's Place online - alt.config — creation of new newsgroups in the alt.* hierarchy.
- alt.digitiser — discussion of the video games magazine DigitiserDigitiserDigitiser was a video games magazine that was broadcast on the Teletext service on Channel 4 in the UK from 1993 to 2003, and was updated from Monday to Saturday...
. - alt.fan — fandomFandomFandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest...
discussions. - alt.gothicAlt.gothicalt.gothic is a popular Usenet group mainly frequented by goths. It is the canonical net.goth forum, and the birthplace of Convergence.- References in Media :...
— a gothic newsgroup and birthplace of ConvergenceConvergence (goth festival)Convergence is the annual net.goth party run by and for members of the alt.gothic and alt.gothic.fashion newsgroup, and other related Usenet newsgroups. Started in 1995, it is a chance for net.goths and others who normally only meet on the Internet to come together in real life... - alt.horologyAlt.horologyThe alt.horology Usenet newsgroup concerns all aspects of horology . Those posting to it range from novices to collectors to professional watchmakers and clockmakers .-Origin:...
This Internet newsgroup concerns all aspects of horologyHorologyHorology is the art or science of measuring time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, clepsydras, timers, time recorders and marine chronometers are all examples of instruments used to measure time.People interested in horology are called horologists...
(the scienceScienceScience is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
of timeTimeTime is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
and timekeeping, clocks and watches). Those posting to it range from novices to collectors to professional watchmakers & clockmakers. - alt.religion.kibology — He who Greps.
- alt.sexAlt.sexalt.sex is a Usenet newsgroup that was popular in the 1990s. An October 1993 survey by Brian Reid reported an estimated a worldwide readership of 3.3 millions for the newsgroup, that being 8% of the total Usenet readership, with 67% of all Usenet nodes carrying the group and traffic of 2,300...
— the first alt.* newsgroup for discussion of sexual topics. - alt.sex.bondage — discussion of BDSMBDSMBDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
sex. - alt.sex.cancel — set up specifically as a means of defeating newsgroup spam cross-posted to the entire alt.sex hierarchy
- alt.sex.storiesAlt.sex.storiesalt.sex.stories is a Usenet newsgroup for erotic stories.Alt.sex.stories was created on May 7, 1992 by Tim Pierce as an alternative to pre-existing alt erotica newsgroups....
— text-based erotic stories of all types. - alt.slack — Posting relating to the Church of the SubgeniusChurch of the SubGeniusThe Church of the SubGenius is a "parody religion" organization that satirizes religion, conspiracy theories, unidentified flying objects, and popular culture. Originally based in Dallas, Texas, the Church of the SubGenius gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s and maintains an active presence on...
. - alt.suicide.holidayAlt.suicide.holidayalt.suicide.holiday is a Usenet newsgroup. Its original purpose was to discuss the relationship between suicide rates and holiday seasons. However, it has since evolved into a broad discussion forum where suicidal and depressed people can openly share their thoughts...
— pro-choice discussion of suicideSuicideSuicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. - alt.sysadmin.recovery — the Scary Devil Monastery.
- alt.tastelessAlt.tastelessalt.tasteless is a Usenet newsgroup dedicated to the discussion of tasteless and offensive subjects. It was founded in 1989.alt.tasteless is frequented by a diverse readership, most of whom share stories and insights which would not be welcome in other forums or in polite conversation...
— discussion of subject matter in too poor taste to be discussed elsewhere. - alt.tv.simpsonsAlt.tv.simpsonsalt.tv.simpsons is a usenet newsgroup dedicated to discussing the American television program, The Simpsons. Created in 1990, the newsgroup became a popular community in the early 1990s, and continues to exist as of 2011.The newsgroup is known for reviewing the episodes and nitpicking on minor...
— discusses the TV show The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
. - alt.usage.englishAlt.usage.englishThe Usenet newsgroup alt.usage.english is devoted to discussion of the English language, especially its usage. It was newgrouped on May 11, 1991 by David Bedno....
— discussion of English words, grammar, etymology - alt.usenet.kooks — discussion of Usenet kookCrank (person)"Crank" is a pejorative term used for a person who unshakably holds a belief that most of his or her contemporaries consider to be false. A "cranky" belief is so wildly at variance with commonly accepted belief as to be ludicrous...
s and their idiosyncratic theories. - alt.zines — discussion of small-press publications, magazines, and pamphlets (zineZineA zine is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier....
s).
Other newsgroups
These newsgroups fall outside of the official Big 8 hierarchiesBig 8 (Usenet)
The Big 8 are a group of newsgroup hierarchies established after the Great Renaming, a restructuring of Usenet that took place in 1987. These hierarchies are managed by the Big 8 Management Board...
, as well as the less formal alt hierarchy.