Newsgroups are places on the Internet where you can go to read messages on particular topics. Some, but not all, newsgroups are part of a worldwide bulletin board system called Usenet, which contains more than 100,000 discussion forums (or newsgroups).

Web browsers typically provide built-in newsgroup readers (such as Outlook Express, which is bundled with Internet Explorer, or Netscape Messenger, which is bundled with Netscape Communicator), or you can use a standalone newsgroup reader, such as Free Agent, to read messages posted to a newsgroup. (The Free Agent newsreader is available at no charge from http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php.) Several Web sites allow you to search for mailing lists and newsgroups—and in some cases individual messages sent to lists or groups.

Newsgroups use a technique called threading that allows you to view messages by topic. This enables you to focus on discussions that most interest you. Most newsgroup readers also allow you to view messages by date and sender.

This image shows a threaded list of messages posted to the Usenet group, misc.writing. A message about introductions is displayed in the bottom pane.

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