Chapter 27. Using Newsgroups, Message Boards, and Blogs

In this chapter

• Reading and Posting to Usenet Newsgroups

• Participating in Web-Based Message Boards

• Joining the Blog Community

The Internet is a great way for people with special interests to gather and exchange ideas. Whether you're into model trains, European soccer, or soap operas, you can find a legion of similar fans online.

There are three primary types of online communities: newsgroups, message boards, and blogs. The best way to think of these communities is that they're like old-fashioned bulletin boards. A user begins by posting a message regarding a specific topic. Other members of the community respond to that message and post replies. Before long you have a intricate thread of messages, all branching out from that initial posting.

So go online and learn how to interact with others who share your specific interests. Chances are, there's an online community waiting just for you and it's no further away than your computer keyboard.