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R.I.P Usenet: 1980-2008
CorinneI writes "In a way inconceivable in today's marketplace, Usenet was where people once went to talk — in days before the profit-centric Internet we have today. The series of bulletin boards called 'newsgroups' shared by thousands of computers, which traded new messages several times a day, is now a thing of the past."
Netcraft confirms it!
Think of the children who read alt.startrek.furrydom.localgettogethers
alt.beloved.usenet.gone?.withered?.dead?
alt.black.day.is.is.ever-shall-be
alt.thoughtful.pause.pause.pause.pause
alt.brief.check.make.perform.check
alt.noble.usenet.remains!.lives!.cheers!
alt.brave.usenet.!surrenders.!bows.!gone!
alt.silly.blog.!informs.!researches.!educates
alt.dumb.blogger.drools.mashes-keys-at-random.drools
alt.credulous.slashdot.reports.dramatises.alarms
alt.trusty."alt.adjective.noun.verb.verb.verb".remains.endures.twinkles
Whence? Hence. Whither? Thither.
"Before the Eternal September, but after the Great Renaming, I learned about sex on Usenet."
No need to read any further...
Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
Dude, be cool!!!
"Imminent Death of the Net predicted. Film at 11."
Coz your post is dead accurate about the whole usenet sense of humor.
I loved:
alt.fan.tonya-harding.whack.whack.whack
alt.sex.bestiality.barney.die.die.die
and all the many alt.*.whilst.wearing.rubber.knickers groups.
Not that I ever *read* any of them, but it made my heart warm knowing they existed.
Nostalgia's not what it used to be.
Hmmmm, so we have to stake Usenet through its heart, or at least hurt it with garlic?
I've heard the number of Usenet users has tripled in the last six months.
While I know you're right, I feel much better and safer knowing that it is no longer possible to trade kiddy porn online anymore.
The ends justify the means. Thank you, Mr. Cuomo.
> Just because mainstream internet providers are dropping it doesn't mean it is dying. Usenet is immortal,
> like Dracula, it will never die.
SPAM: [after SPAM's cut off both of the UseNet's arms] Look, you stupid Bastard. You've got no arms left. ....
UseNet: Yes I have.
SPAM: *Look*!
UseNet: It's just a flesh wound.
SPAM: Look, I'll have your leg. [Recieves a very sharp kick] Right! [Chops off one of the UseNet's legs]
UseNet: Right! I'll do you for that!
SPAM: You'll what?
UseNet: Come here!
SPAM: What are you going to do, bleed on me?!
UseNet: I'm invincible!
SPAM: You're a looney.
UseNet: The UseNet always triumphs! Have at you! Come on then. [Hopping on one leg towards SPAM]
[SPAM chops his other leg off, leaving his body upright on the ground.]
UseNet: Alright, we'll call it a draw.
SPAM: Come, Patsy!
UseNet: Oh, oh I see. Running away, eh?! You yellow bastards! Come back here and take what's coming to you! I'll bite your legs off!!
[Fade to black.]
Netcraft: Bring out yer dead. [Hits gong]
Mass Media: Here's one.
Dead UseNet: I'm not dead!
Netcraft: What?
Mass Media: Nothing. Here's your ninepence.
Dead UseNet: I'm not dead!
Netcraft: 'Ere, he says he's not dead.
Mass Media: Yes he is.
Dead UseNet: I'm not!
Netcraft: He isn't!
Mass Media: Well, he will be soon, he's very ill.
Dead UseNet: I'm getting betta!
Mass Media: No you're not, you'll be stone dead in a moment.
Netcraft: I can't take 'im like that! It's against regulation!
Dead UseNet: I don't want to go on the cart!
Mass Media: Oh, don't be such a baby!
Netcraft: I can't take him.
Dead UseNet: I feel fine!
[Mass Media knocks UseNet dead]
Well I'm sure there's something in the alt.* tree for you!
It seems like more and more people are making more and more outrageous predictions & claims.
Sometime in the late 90s, Wired ran a cover story that contained an assertion that "the Web is dead."
That's about when I canceled my subscription.
-- http://frobnosticate.com
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I was a collaborative effort.
Tell your mom I said hi.
Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?