Local Newsgroups

This page holds a list of all the newsgroups which reside on SuperNet's server, for the exclusive use of Local users (they are only available to SuperNet subscribers). Some brief details of how to connect (which assume you understand how to use newsgroups in general) are below.

You can find these newsgroups on the server news.itl.net, which you should connect to using your normal newsreader. The list below shows what each group is typically used for, and clicking on the group names should take you to that group, if your newsreader is integrated with your browser. If not, you should connect separately to news.itl.net.

At the bottom of this page are some points which you might wish to bear in mind when posting, which might be referred to as a form of etiquette, or part of 'netiquette'.

The list below is sorted by the 'type' of group.

Advertisements
supernet.ads.accomodation is for the posting of adverts relating to local accomodation.
supernet.ads.bikes is for all advertisements about bikes of all sizes and shapes.
supernet.ads.boats is put aside for boating, sailing, and other related adverts.
supernet.ads.cars is where you go if you want to advertise a car for sale, or the need for one!
supernet.ads.computers is for the inevitable computer related adverts. There is also a software group (see further down the list), so this group is more for hardware.
supernet.ads.employment is for job wanted, and positions available adverts, of course!
supernet.ads.general serves as a 'catch all' group for any adverts which do not fit into the other groups, and for general or multi-purpose advertisements (which might also be crossposted to other relevant groups).
supernet.ads.people is for people-related advertisements. Personally I'm not sure how this is different from employment, but you can have fun trying to work it out!
supernet.ads.software is for software wanted or for sale advertisements.

Discussion
supernet.general is the general discussion group on the server, for all real chat, and so forth, which doesn't have a specific topic, or for which the topic does not fit another group.
supernet.info.msie is designated for the exchange of information relating to Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser.
supernet.info.netscape is intended for discussion relating to Netscape's browser.
supernet.info.win95 is similar to the other information groups, and intended for discussion relevant to Microsoft Windows 95.
supernet.questions is a group intended for posting questions of any nature, when they do not seem appropriate to another group.
supernet.requests is put aside for making requests pertaining to the Supernet service.
supernet.usergroup has been created for discussion specifically relevant to this usergroup to take place in.

Tests
supernet.test is for all those test posts, so that readers of the other groups do not have to delete 'This is a test!' several times in order to get to something of interest! Use it if you need to test your newsgroups setup!

Ettiquette

Some points to bear in mind when posting to these groups (and in general, any usenet groups), in order to avoid annoying or upsetting other users, and generally to make things as enjoyable as possible for all concerned.

Not all readers can use HTML. If you post from a piece of software which can use HTML in mail/news, either post the HTML as an attachment, or post in plain text, so that all readers can easily understand your post.
Use good, clear english, and try to check your punctuation and spelling (even briefly). Try to avoid the use of abbreviations, unless they appear with some regularity in the group to which you are posting.
Do not post notes which are not connected to the subject matter of the group.
Never post test messages to discussion groups!
Avoid posting binaries (graphics, etc, basically anything besides text) unless the group name contains 'binaries' or it is specifically said to be OK. If you wish people to be able to obtain or view a binary, make it available on the WWW, and post the URL to it.
Do not crosspost to more groups than necessary, and when following up to a post, always check the groups that it is going to.
As tempting as it may be to attack someone in a post, or follow up, try to restrict this to email where possible, rather than filling a public forum with impolite material (not always possible!).