Newsgroups
and IRC
Newsgroups
A browser can also be used to connect to other Internet services,
for example Newsgroups, also known as Usenet (short for User Network).
These are sites which contain specific information on a vast variety
of topics. You can subscribe to the newsgroup or groups you are
interested in, and you can become involved in what is effectively
an electronic discussion. Some newsgroups are 'moderated' ie.
their content is checked for quality, whilst some give 'in the
raw' information.
 To
access Newsgroups via your browser, click on the Mail icon on
the Toolbar and select Read News from the drop-down menu.
Alternatively,
you can access Newsgroups with your browser by visiting:
 www.deja.com/usenet
Items
can be uploaded to Newsgroups if you wish to add details to the
items on offer. It is also worthwhile reading the FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions) file, which will provide you with information
about the newsgroup, its ethos and technical information.
Each
Newsgroup has a different title such as soc.culture or
rec.aviation. Below is an explanation of the Newsgroup
types:
| alt. |
Alternative |
| biz. |
Business
orientated |
| comp. |
Computer
related |
| rec. |
Recreational |
| soc. |
Social
issues |
| sci. |
Science
orientated |
| talk. |
Discussion
areas |
| misc. |
Anything
else |
There
are also specialised Newsgroups on countries, politics and issues,
both national and local. Local groups usually have a more specific
content. Some Newsgroups need installation of specialised software
to run - please check with your system administrator.
Caution!
Many Newsgroups cover some questionable subject matter and don't
pull their punches. If you are easily offended, be aware of this
fact.
Internet
Relay Chat (IRC)
This is a real time talk system, whereby everything you type in
appears - as you type it - on the screen of everyone else on the
same channel as you - like CB Radio, with a longer range. Two
major IRC Networks exist, EFNET and the Undernet, the former being
the larger.
The
Global Communications Certificate requires you to provide evidence
of using many of the features illustrated so far. As a result,
please ensure that you save any examples of web surfing and any
e-mails that you have produced or replied to. These will need
to be attached to the assignment once completed.
Contents:
World Wide Web
Skill
Check: World Wide Web
|
