XX TECHNO QUESTION OF THE WEEK

July 10, 1996

with Joya Balfour

Usenet vs. Mailing Lists

Usenet used to be, and still is for many people, a vital part of the Internet. Modeled on bulletins boards, the Usenet is a part of the Internet where messages can be posted to a variety of different groups, ranging from cat lovers to fur fetishists. Not as glamourous as the graphically-abundant World Wide Web, Usenet is a UNIX, text-based interface containing thousands and thousands of categories, called newsgroups, from which to choose. Literally anyone can find a newsgroup to fit their own interests and hobbies. Computers, music, politics, television, sports, it's all there for you to use and peruse.

Newsgroups work like this: people post a message on a particular topic related to the group, everyone who reads the newsgroup can see their message and reply if they wish. Conversations are ongoing and often involve dozens of people. Many people read newsgroups but never post messages: they are called "lurkers."

Before the advent of the WWW, Usenet was the place to be. After all, what else could one really do besides send e-mail? When I first tried Usenet three years ago, I flocked to newsgroups on my favourite TV shows and was thrilled to find out people gave spoilers for upcoming episodes so I'd know what happened to Mulder and Scully before any of my friends did. I posted a few messages, got little or no response (and it could very well be that my posts were in fact boring) and gave up. It was easier to lurk.

Another reason for my non-involvement was the frequency of flames in newsgroup postings. If you listened to the XX Files two weeks ago you'll know that a flame is an annoying message sent to ridicule or demean another person's input. Flames can be caustic, rude, downright mean, and not often very funny. They are often directed at newbies and those not familiar with the goings on of that particular newsgroup. Flames, I am saddened to admit, are most often sent by arrogant males who haven nothing better to do online, and, from a woman's point of view, flames can be especially hurtful and gender-biased. And for those new to the Internet, an intimidating experience.

Now, I myself have never been flamed on a newsgroup, but I have witnessed it happen to many others and I've not been impressed. That's when I turned to mailing lists.

Mailing lists work just like newsgroups in that they're based on specific topics, and people post messages for other to read and respond. The difference is you need to subscribe to a mailing list in order to read and contribute. This factor immediately reduces the number of people involved and the messages sent back and forth. Subscribers send questions to the list, and the message is relayed to other members via e-mail, and they can reply. It is certainly more intimate than Usenet, and mailing lists often are low-volume so subscribers can get to know other members on a friendlier basis. I have had extremely positive experiences on the mailing lists I've subscribed to, made important contacts and learned that computer relationships don't have to be anonymous. Also, mailing lists can be gender-specific, while newsgroups can't. For example, many women won't even post to the newsgroup alt.feminism any more because Newt Gingrich types have taken it over and flame everyone who doesn't agree with them. On a more positive note, the women's lists I belong to have become like a real online community for me, offering helpful support and friendly conversation. I'm never worried about being flamed because my question isn't relevant or is too obvious. Everyone learns and helps each other along the way.

That isn't to say gender-specific mailing lists are the only answer. Mostly all mailing lists are comfortable spaces in which to exchange ideas and learn from others. Because it takes more effort to subscribe and send posts to the list, the people on the list are ones who really want to be there. And it permeates the list environment. So, my advice to you is, if you can't do battle with the aggressivity and/or prerequisite knowledge that is unfortunately often demanded of Usenet participants, join a mailing list. You can find these resources on the WWW by searching Yahoo or another engine with the words "mailing lists" Try them out - it might be just what you're looking for.