Although advanced search options are easily available with command language in the quick search, the full archive database makes the power search more attractive. In addition, it offers field searching and limits for newsgroups, authors, subject words, and dates. The author, newsgroups, subject, and date searches can also be run directly. However, except for the dedicated DejaNews searcher, the power search form makes these much easier to use. However, always double-check the documentation by running a search to see if it works.
Some complex searches result in an error message due to the processing time involved.
This page also lists at least part of the DejaNews stopword list. Not so long ago, many of the large Web databases had their own, smaller Usenet databases. HotBot, Excite, AltaVista, and Infoseek all had choices for searching the Web or searching Usenet. Recently, all except AltaVista have dropped their own databases in favor of offering a gateway to DejaNews. AltaVista, as one of the lone holdouts, offers a much smaller alternative and supplement to DejaNews.