Usenet newsgroups Usenet is a worldwide network of UNIX systems that is used as a bulletin board system by special-interest discussion groups. A newsgroup is a public forum on the Internet for discussions devoted to a particular subject or interest. A newsgroup consists of articles posted by users, which can be read and responded to by other users. Newsgroups offer the ability to engage in lively discussions with people from all over the world. Users can share knowledge, opinions, and recommendations about such varied topics as computer programs, health issues, travel locations, sports, public services, entertainment, fine dining, music, the arts, as well as thousands of other subjects.
Client software known as a newsreader is required to read articles in a newsgroup.
The Internet's ability to cross the globe's technological and geographical boundaries has not gone unnoticed in the business world. Fueled by the need to share information, e-mail is now the heartbeat of most businesses. Even so, companies were soon looking for ways to extend the Internet and the convenience of the World Wide Web within their organizations. Out of this need, intranets and extranets were created. An intranet is a computer network designed for exclusive access within a company or organization.