 | General Questions |  |
What kind of discussions are there?
Usenet carries discussions on most every topic imaginable: computers, gaming, politics, movies, books, and every possible hobby. These discussions are separated into newsgroups, or "groups" for short.
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Which groups does Mac GUI carry?
Mac GUI just carries most all Apple II and Macintosh newsgroups, as well as a few other miscellaneous groups.
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Can I post my own messages?
Yes, Mac GUI now provides a way to post new threads and replies via the web. Additionally, you can contact your ISP and ask if they have access to Usenet. Most ISPs and universities do, and then you can send and receive Usenet messages through a newsreader.
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How do I find discussions?
First you must enter a newsgroup. Click the Usenet Discussions link in the Computer Center, then choose a group from the list. On the next page is a list of all discussion threads in that group. Choose one that interests you, or you can click the 'Next' link to go to the next page of threads.
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How do I follow a discussion thread?
When you click a thread, you only see one message at a time, though that message may contain quoted parts of an earlier message. To follow the discussion thread, scroll down to the end of the message, and you will see a list of dates and replies. Click the name on the right to read that person's reply. Alternatively, you can click the 'Go to next unread message' link near the top of the page.
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How often do new messages come in?
New messages can be posted to a newsgroup at any time, but not all newsgroups are heavily active. In any case, Mac GUI only gets new posts twice every hour.
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Is there a search function?
Yes. You can use either the simple keyword search box provided on most Usenet Discussion pages, or you can enter the Advanced Search page to truly refine your search criteria.
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How can I stay up to date on threads? Is there RSS?
Yes, there is RSS so that you can subscribe to the latest posts and stay up-to-date. Pick a group, then click the RSS link near the top-left corner of the page to get a feed of the 50 latest posts.
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What do the numbers next to each thread mean?
The numbers such as 4 / 40 represent how many messages you have read out of the total. In this example: you have read 4 messages, and there are 40 in total for this thread. Messages will remain marked as read for up to 30 days.
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| Posting on Usenet | |
About Posting on Usenet
Sending messages on Usenet is different from any other web forum or local bulletin board because the messages are uncensored, sent across the globe to anyone and everyone, and are read by thousands of people a day. In other words, posting to Usenet is like putting a message on a billboard or in a newspaper. In addition, posts made on Usenet can stay around for years, or even decades. Posts made to Usenet over 25 years ago can still be read to this day.
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Guidelines for Posting on Usenet
Please always keep these guidelines in mind when posting on Usenet:
- Stay on topic. For the most part, Usenet is not a general, off-topic forum. Therefore, the netizens tend to get annoyed rather quickly with people who post inane or irrelevant messages to their usual groups. Also, don't spam! If you want to promote a product or service, then do so responsibly.
- When replying to a message, quote only what you are replying to, not the entire message. Also, be sure to type your response below the existing message. This is known as bottom-posting. Example:
> Where should we type our responses?
Down here, that's where.
- Don't flame. When you're anonymous on the net, it can be easy to lose your cool and post inflammatory messages. Don't do it! In general, flamers come off looking like idiots. Also remember that Usenet messages are sent around the world and will be read by thousands of people for years to come. Save yourself public embarrassment and send flames by email, or not at all.
- Don't derail an existing thread. Each discussion thread should stay focused on one topic. If you have something different that you want to talk about, then you should start a new thread. Don't attempt to start a new thread by replying to an existing thread and merely changing the subject.
- Use a descriptive subject and your best grammar. When starting a new thread, make sure that the subject appropriately describes the discussion topic. Similarly, when posting messages, make proper use of the English grammar. Usenet is largely dominated by English-speakers who expect not to see copious amounts of slang, misspellings and other such errors. If English isn't your native language, then do your best.
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Why can't I post?
In order to post to Usenet using Mac GUI, you must meet three criteria:
1.) You must be logged-in to a Mac GUI account
2.) Your Mac GUI account must be activated
3.) You must have activated Mac GUI Web Services
See other FAQ entries if you need more help on completing any of these three steps. In some cases, an administrator may have disabled your Web Services. If this has happened, then you should contact an administrator for further details.
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How do I change my name which appears with each post?
Your name is taken from the First and Last name which you have entered in your Preferences page. To change it, click the Preferences link at the top of any page. Remember that you must enter your real name on Mac GUI, although you may substitute your initials.
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How do I change my email address which appears with each post?
You may use either your Mac GUI, @macgui.com email address, or the address which you entered in your Preferences. To switch between the two, click the Preferences link at the top of any page, then click Web Services on the left-hand side. Mark the appropriate radio button for the address which you wish to use.
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How do I attach a signature?
Click on Preferences -> Web Services, and enter in a Usenet signature. You will now be presented with the option to attach this signature to each post you make.
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How do I cross-post?
Simply click 'Show advanced options' and enter up to 3 newsgroups in either the Newsgroups field, or the Follow-up To field, or both.
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Why isn't my message showing up?
Your message may take up to 1 hour to appear on Usenet servers around the world and on Mac GUI. Do not repost your message! If your message does not appear immediately, then wait longer. If you have waited several hours, then you may consider posting your message again.
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