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% Original version by Ambar
% Revision 1, RSF 10/89
% Revision 2, JIK 05/92

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\LARGE{NetNews: A One-Page Guide to the Usenet}
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\subsection{What is the Usenet/NetNews?}

Usenet (Users' Network) is a bulletin board shared among many computer
systems around the world.  Usenet is a logical network, sitting on top
of several physical networks, including UUCP, BITNET, and the
Internet.  Sites on Usenet include many universities, private
companies, and research organizations.  Current estimates indicate
that there are over two million participants at over 45,000 Usenet
sites in over fifty countries, with more users and sites joining every
day.  Most are running the UNIX$^{{\rm TM}}$ operating
system, although the number of non-UNIX sites, e.g.
VMS sites and PCs, is increasing.

\subsection{This Guide\ldots}
This is a one-page guide intended to provide the absolute minimum of
information required to keep things working smoothly for you on the net.
The best place to go for more details (the place this guide was
condensed from) is the newsgroup {\tt{} news.announce.newusers\rm. } Type the
command {\tt{} rn\rm, } type {\tt{} g news.announce.newusers } at the prompt, and
you're ready to go.  Typing {\tt{} h } while inside {\tt{} rn } (ReadNews)
(also known as {\tt{} rrn\rm, } for Remote ReadNews) will give you help.  The 
{\tt{} GNUS } package for reading news inside of GNU Emacs and the {\tt{}
 xrn } program for reading news using a windowed interface are also
available.  Call us for more information, or check out the Athena
on-line help (see below).

\subsection{Using {\tt{} rn } or {\tt{} xrn}}
Type the command {\tt{} add sipb } to attach the sipb locker and add it
to your search path.  If that doesn't work, then there is
something non-standard about your account configuration; try
using these commands instead:
\begin{verbatim}
     attach sipb
     set path = (/mit/sipb/bin $path)
\end{verbatim}
After using one of these, typing {\tt{} rn } will bring up the text
interface to the Usenet, or typing {\tt{} xrn } will bring up the X
interface.

\subsection{Other Things to Check Out}
You may not want to read every article in {\tt{}
news.announce.newusers\rm, } and
it's true that not all of them are necessary.  Please {\bf do} read
the articles entitled ``Answers to Frequently Asked Questions'' and
``A Primer on How to Work With the Usenet Community.''  You can get a
lot of information about the news reader you decide to use by typing
{\tt{} man rn } or {\tt{} man xrn\rm. }

You might also want to check out {\tt{} news.newusers.questions\rm; }
in particular, the posting entitled ``Welcome to
news.newusers.questions!'' is extremely valuable for new Usenet users.

Finally, the Athena on-line help contains more detailed information
about using NetNews.  To access it, run {\tt{} help } and see the
``Network News'' menu underneath the ``Communicating with Other
Users'' top-level menu.

\subsection{Getting Questions Answered}
First of all, please do {\bf NOT} ask NetNews-related questions on
OLC.  It is possible that you will be connected to a consultant who
knows something about NetNews, but it is more likely that a busy
consultant will simply direct you to us.  Athena consultants are not
required to know anything about SIPB software, NetNews included.  If
you have a question or bug report about a particular Usenet program in
the sipb locker, send mail to {\tt{} bug-sipb@athena.mit.edu\rm. } If
you have a more general question about the Usenet, send mail to {\tt{}
usenet@athena.mit.edu\rm. } You can also call the SIPB office (3-7788)
or visit us in W20-557 --- we're open nearly around the clock, every
day, and we're always happy to answer questions!

NetNews is supported by the SIPB, not by Athena.  Please don't
hesitate to point out to us any problems or concerns you may have.
This is for everyone to enjoy!

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