USENET is a collection of discussion groups (called newsgroups) available to Internet users. The over 13,000 newsgroups generate over 100M of traffic every day. Of all these newsgroups (which cover every conceivable topic), several are dedicated to Linux. These newsgroups are a useful forum for information and answers to questions about Linux.You can read USENET newsgroups through newsreader software that accesses either the Internet or a local site that offers USENET service (called a newsfeed). Many on-line services, such as CompuServe and Delphi, provide access to the newsgroups (sometimes at an additional cost), and some have their own forums for Linux users. BBSs dedicated to Linux in whole or in part are also appearing, and many excerpt the USENET conversations for the BBS users who do not have access to USENET.

USENET newsgroups are divided into three categories: primary newsgroups that are readily available to all users, local newsgroups with a limited distribution (usually based on geography), and alternate newsgroups that may not be handled by all news servers due to the relaxed rules of etiquette on them. The primary newsgroups of interest to Linux users when this book was written are the following:

• The comp.os.linux.admin newsgroup deals with administering Linux systems.
  
  
• Proponents of the Linux system sound off in comp.os.linux.advocacy.
  
  
• The comp.os.linux.announce newsgroup contains announcements important to the Linux community. This is a moderated newsgroup, which means someone approves the postings before you get to see them.
  
  
• The comp.os.linux.answers newsgroup contains questions and answers to problems about Linux.
  
  
• Ongoing work on Linux in general is discussed in comp.os.linux.development.
  
  
• Ongoing work on Linux applications is discussed in comp.os.linux.development.apps.
  
  
• Ongoing work on the Linux operating system is discussed in comp.os.linux.development.system.
  
  
• The comp.os.linux.hardware newsgroup deals with issues concerning Linux and hardware support.
  
  
• The comp.os.linux.help newsgroup contains questions and advice about Linux.
  
  
• Linux-specific topics not covered by other groups are covered in comp.os.linux.misc.
  
  
• Linux networking issues are discussed in comp.os.linux.networking.
  
  
• The comp.os.linux.setup deals with Linux setup and installation problems.
  

These primary newsgroups should be available at all USENET sites unless the system administrator filters them out for some reason. The other Linux newsgroups tend to change frequently, primarily because they are either regional or populated with highly opinionated users. The alt (alternate) newsgroups are the ones most likely to contain such users. One alt newsgroup in operation when this book was written is

alt.uu.comp.os.linux.questions

To find the several different newsgroups about Linux, use your newsreader software to search for all newsgroups with the word linux in the title. If you have access to USENET, regularly scan the newsgroup additions and deletions to check for new Linux newsgroups or existing groups that have folded. Notices about newsgroup changes are usually posted to all existing groups, but every now and again one gets through without fanfare. On-line services that provide access to USENET usually maintain lists of all active newsgroups that can be searched quickly.

The traffic on most of these Linux newsgroups deal with problems and issues people have when installing, configuring, administering, or using the operating system. A lot of valuable information passes through the newsgroups quickly, so check them regularly. The most interesting messages that deal with a specific subject (called a thread) are often collected and stored as an archive for access through an FTP site.

World Wide Web Sites

Not surprisingly, Linux has a good presence on the World Wide Web. Several sites that Linux information, and a few home pages are specifically dedicated to Linux business. One of the most popular Linux Web sites is accessible as http://www.ssc.com/linux/linux.html. This site has a wealth of information and hyperlinks to other Linux sources. Figure 1.1 shows the home page for this site. From the home page, you can select the type of information you want by clicking the appropriate icon.