Playing on the Net with Newsgroups (Usenet) and Mailing Lists Part I
Dateline: 12/12/97
I know. You think that all I do each week is look for news items and interesting sites to add here for your viewing pleasure. Well yes, I do spend a lot of my time doing that, but I've also found that a great way to keep up with what's happening in the world at large is to participate actively (or at least subscribe to and read) a wide-variety of newsgroups and listserves.
"Oh!" you say, "that's cool! - what do you read?"
I'm so very glad you asked, let me tell you.
Newsgroups
alt.journalism.gaypress
If you can get past the spam, you can quite often pick up news about local events that don't make it to the national or world-wide press.alt.personals.gay
I don't subscribe to this one, being happily married, but there are a lot of real people out there looking for friends or potential lovers who post here. alt.personals.motss is generally too filled with spam to be useful, but if "action" is where you're at, you may find it here. alt.personals.motss.women is almost all spam and men who just know that lesbians really want them and their girlfriend.alt.politics.homosexuality
Because it's an "alt" group, the flames do fly, but for the most part in an "us against them" type of way. There are very few apologetic queers here, and while some of the debates and arguments always seem to be the "same old, same old" I'll often pick up a different and interesting way to visit a topic here.alt.shoe.lesbians.moderated
Before this group was moderated it was filled with spam. This is the most light hearted and fun newsgroup for lesbians I've ever found. Sadly, no comprable group for men that I've found. alt.teens.gay and alt.teens.lesbian Sadly these two groups are spam and hate filled to the point where no conversation can be had.soc.motss
More of a "social" newsgroup (although "soc" is the abbreviation for "society") here's where you'll find more personal experiences, a little dissing, and some good gossip. (The best gossip and closet-busters remain at alt.showbiz.gossip however)soc.support.youth.gay-lesbian-bi
I'm too old (aren't I?) to actively participate in this one, but it's relatively spam free and an excellent place for youth to discuss their lives and issues. As for alt.teens.gay and alt.teens.lesbian, sadly these two groups are spam and hate filled to the point where no conversation can be had.soc.women.lesbian-and-bi
This one is moderated, so there's no, or very little, heat. This group also tends to the more light conversational approach, but because of the "secure" nature of the group there are always ongoing discussions about the nature of relationships and other day to day type issues. Note that there is no comparable group for men.If I left out your favorite GLBT newsgroup - let me know, so I can add it to the list!
It looks like I've overstayed my welcome, so we'll do mailing lists next week. If you have any questions about how to subscribe and/or read the newsgroups listed, ask away, I'll be more than happy to help you out.
In Pride,
Deborah
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