via E-Mail
I was asked this month about accessing newsgroups or "chat forums" on the Internet. First of all, let me
explain a newsgroup is located on a worldwide public message board known as Usenet. The groups vary in topics and range from 25,000 to 30,000 in number. Finding a topic you are interested in like troubleshooting Windows or Win95 is no problem. There is also a newsgroup called alt.warez that is known for its software transfers.
To access the newsgroups from Netscape takes a bit of configuring but the wealth of information is worth it.
Start by entering Netscapes Menu Bar.
Under the Window caption highlight Netscape News.
(This will open the your Newsgroup reader program.)
Highlight Options on the Menu Bar.
Under Options highlight Mail and News Preferences.
Tap the Servers Tab
Fill in all information under News. (All this information is available from your service provider.)
Click on OK.
At this point you have two choices: from the File menu you can type in the name of a specific newsgroup, or you can select Show All Newsgroups from the Options menu to get a full listing.
To read messages, click on a newsgroup on the News Server list. Then simply double-click on any message to read it. If you find something that you would like to respond to, simply click on the Post and Mail Reply button found in the Menu Bar under Options.
This is just another way computers and the Internet are making people aware of the world as a whole.
Steve is a car inspector at the Crest Yard in Fort Worth
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