Choose your words carefully. If your listserv offers a FAQ, be sure to request a copy, read it, and save it for future reference. Leave the subject line blank. You will soon receive an e-mail message containing one or more relevant lists, along with instructions for how to subscribe. Internet Newsgroups function as electronic bulletin boards.
People use newsgroups to exchange information with others who have similar interests.
Unlike listservs, which require you to become a member of the list in order to join the discussion, newsgroups accept e-mail postings from anyone and everyone. Another difference with newsgroups is that you do not have to formally subscribe and unsubscribe. Back to Contents How Newsgroups Work Newsgroups are organized into broad topical categories, each of which is partitioned into divisions and subdivisions. Each subdivision represents a newsgroup devoted to one particular topic. For example, the newsgroup rec.aviation.soaring is devoted to an electronic discussion of gliding.