Module Two Newsgroups

Unit Work

Concept: Public Space and Regulations:

Key concept points:

• remember 'netiquette' when posting on newsgroups or posting anything anywhere. Keep abreast of regulations and updates on regulations and don't break them without good cause.



• Be mindful of the 'invisibility of difference'; by keeping communications simple and correctly formatted and not assuming all recipients of sent communications have the same technical spec's as you do the messages you send will be received with minimal change to them therefor will relay a clearer communication.



• Threading is the process used by discussion groups/newsgroups/Usenet etc to arrange and organise postings into a 'flowing' format of subjects and responses so users can easily follow conversations.



• The perception of time in sending and replying to email and other forms of online communication are subjective. Because of this difference of time perception, rules are put in place to assist in managing these communications. The Internet makes available information at any time that suits the user.

Definitions

Flaming: act of deliberately posting hostile message via the Internet. (Flame wars)

Trolling: act of deliberately posting controversial messages on DB or newsgroups with the intent of starting an argument.

References for Public Space & Regulations

This is a really, really useful site for comprehensive understanding and joining of newsgroups. It has a step by step guide to joining a newsgroup, a comprehensive section on netiquette, a link for newsreader software (an alternative way to join newsgroups) and a troubleshooting section and a list of newsgroups. I found this link here; http://www.dmoz.org/Computers/Usenet/ It was on the unit task page for this task.

Newsgroups Task

Description

I used newzbot http://www.newzbot.com/ to search through the seemingly endless list of groups who's titles didn't tell me much. I found I was going through page after page after page after page after page after PAGE!!!!! of information about the group in order to get to the actual group to find it wasn't right for me. This was very frustrating, time consuming and confusing so I decided to go through google groups.
It took me two days to find a group I was vaguely interested in and had something real to contribute to.

I found this one; http://groups.google.com/group/Minds-Eye?lnk=gschg
It's called "Mind's Eye" - postings about individual thoughts on philosophy and theology.
I then realised replying to this newsgroup would take took too much time. The members of this group obviously take this newsgroup seriously and it's an interesting group but I cant dedicate the time I'd need to write a worthy post right now.

Instead I joined http://groups.google.com/group/rec.pets.dogs.behavior/topics?msg=subscribe
This is a newsgroup devoted to dog/pet behaviour. This is something I could talk about anytime :)

**I have now joined another group as the one mentioned above was very slow moving and hard to find (again). This one http://http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Petdogs-L/was given to me by another student (Natasha Adams - also a member) after I told her my troubles with this task. If two student joining the same group is a problem, Natasha Adams was there first and was kind enough to help me out so please dont punish her (or me) (but if you have to blame someone blame me) (not Natasha) (Thanks)

Concerns

My biggest concern at this late hour is my mental state. All this seemingly endless information on authors, countries of origin, servers, speed etc etc etc etc, it's left me muddled, cloth brained and v,v,v frustrated. Seriously though, I'm concerned about my lack of understanding of how to use things like newzbot. I checked the unit's DB and other students blog's where there was little indications that anyone was having the sort of trouble I was. I'm concerned I've missed some major point about newsgroups or am more lacking in computer skills than I originally thought. **

Problems:
1. My first problem was finding the link again after I joined the group.
2.The next problem was the getting around newsgroups. The amount of information available thru Newzbot on each group was mostly gibberish to me.
3. Finding a group was a task in itself. Pages and pages of info was very confusing. I felt ill equipped to really comprehend what I was seeing (and doing at times).
Choosing google groups simplified the group selection however, many of the groups I felt I had something to contribute to, once opened, had a lot of aggressive posts and infighting or just plain crazy postings. I'm sure my group choices that says something about me on some level!
4. I also had trouble finding a group I could actually contribute something valid to. Once I joined the group I thought I shared most interest in, I found it took too much time to reply- time I don't have.
5. I cant find my posts!! I think I know why this is though: I replied to what I thought were posts but now I think maybe they were actually replies to posts. So I replied to replies. To find my contributions now I'd have to go through each post and unthread them.

Solution:
1.I searched through the unit DB and other ppl blogs. There was a suggested solution to finding the link again involving putting it into a toolbar near the help section. I didn't understand this. I found the link again through trial and error and pasted it into favourites. It may not be an advanced method but it worked and didn't take all day to do.
2-4.I read a lot online (see ref's) to get some much needed clarity on this newsgroup thing. I technically understand what they are but am still lacking in really getting why people would want to go to so much trouble to discuss anything

a) in such detail, usually ending in a semi-argument,

b) when there seem to me to be more time efficient ways.

5. I will contribute a post in the coming days titled "Limping Dog Problem" so Cynthia can check that I have actually completed this task. It just takes quite some time to construct a posting that is respectful to the other members, adheres to the rules of the group and expresses my question or comment clearly-time I dont have. This assignment is already on 'extension time'...tick tock....

Evaluation

I may not fully understand the real value of newsgroups so I'm not certain my evaluation of this task is correct. Newsgroups seem to me, to be an older style of communication. Perhaps that's the best clue to understanding newsgroups. I assume ppl that use them are used to that format and comfortable with that. That in itself is a strength of the newsgroup.
For me, the newsgroups greatest weaknesses are that they take up so much time and things like Newzbot are user un- friendly. As a first time user, I had trouble getting an understanding of how to use them. There is also just so much to read. Most of the postings were at least 300 words. Not everyone writes economically (including me). Perhaps that's part of the appeal of newsgroups; the ability to express yourself fully. For ppl interested in detailed discussion and reading lots about a specific topic/s, newsgroups are the place to go.

Analysis

One of two things has happened in this task.
1) I am not computer savvy enough to really understand why ppl would use newsgroups and why newsgroups are so hard to use
or
2) Newsgroups are an older style of communication and the ppl who use them are used to them. Like all of us they like what we're comfortable with that's why they continue to use newsgroups. Secondly, it's designed for ppl who enjoy passionately communicating in depth and detail on a particular issue.

I personally dont have enough time in my day to search through that much information, nor do I have the knowledge to understand most of it just to get to a newgroup via something like newzbot. * On the issue of time consumption, quite a lot of time gets eaten up reading the posts. Now that I'm a member of this group and the topic interests me, I find I kinda get 'lost' in the group (maybe that too is part of its appeal) and an hour has flown by while I read through new posts and replies. I also find, as I mentioned above, that if I choose to reply or post a new thread I need at least half an hour to construct a 'good' contribution. Reading through all the postings and taking the time to sort through all the crazy ppl who have too much time on their hands and who are having in-group squabbles with other members is just too hard.
I also noticed that many of the groups that are academic in nature carry a large amount of pretty far fetched postings.....I might even call it the mad musings of some very unhappy ppl with too much time on their hands. I'm not being judgemental, it's a simple observation anyone with a modicum of sense would see. Perhaps I didn't look into enough groups or perhaps this is a 'google groups' thing, maybe it's because of the subjects I chose to look into (Psychology, philosophy, theology, art & literature).
I've definitley picked up the sort of skills that show themselves later on so I can't name them just yet...perhaps in future posts. I need to learn a lot more but quite honestly, if I never see another newsgroup again, I'll be happy.

Conclusion

I understand Usenet to be a system of newsgroups or 'forums' from all over the world, accesible via one server.
I can't see myself using a newsgroup except perhaps in a professional capacity...even then I'd look elsewhere for group discussions. * Ha!
If I did use a newsgroup again, I'd tick the 'send me emails' box to ensure I could find it easily once logged out the first time. I'd also choose a simple topic. Replying and posting in to my chosen newsgroup was a task in itself.

I understand the reason for this task. It forces a lot of info to be absorbed pretty quickly and I think it's also based in understanding the history of Internet communications. It is useful to understand what's and why's of newsgroups.
Like I said, I love a challenge but I'm glad this one is o. v. a !! * Again I say HA!

*NOTE: It's January 18th and I have still not completed this task even though I have moved on through to Module 4.

** I have finally joined and started contributing to petdogs-l. I made a few "netiquette" mistakes like copying too much of the post I was replying to and my posts may be a bit long but I'm more careful with replying withing the terms and rules and will be confident enough to post soon.

**The most halarious contradiction is that I am really enjoying this group!! After all my bitchin about newsgroups, I'm finding this newsgroup to be a great source of information and a great forum to share knowledge. The rules are fair, there are no loony's and there is a sense of community and common interest that I'm pleased to be part of. How funny. I wouldn't have believed I could enjoy a newsgroup!!

**Additions made after initial post are in red.