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R.I.P Usenet: 1980-2008

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the we-hardly-knew-ye dept.

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."

4 of 625 comments (clear)

  1. WHAT? by olliec420 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I use it all the time!

  2. Re:Bullcrap by Roberticus · · Score: 5, Informative

    Certainly misleading. Between the headline and the summary, I assumed this was a story about some official cancellation of Usenet. Instead, it's someone pining for the good ol' days (of free pron, if I understood right after skimming TFA).

  3. Re:Pffft, been dying for years. by Rainer · · Score: 5, Informative

    Probably has something to do with message boards with much friendlier interfaces

    I'd say dumbed down interfaces. A good newsreader is much friendlier than a webforum. The problem is that you have to install it first.

  4. Re:Google Groups by brunes69 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually Google Groups *is* the same thing as Usenet, because that is exactly what it is, a easy to use web front end to Usenet.

    That is why Google Groups is infinitely better than Yahoo groups and the others you mention.