Users can get to newsgroups from a command line such as the VAX or with a graphical news reader such as NewsWatcher or Netscape News. Users can post or just browse through other people's posts. Newsgroups are asynchronous - users can read news or post at any time. Local newsgroups can be set up for classes. These are based on web pages and can be used by anyone with a web browser.
Users can join in the discussion or just browse.
Forums can be open to the public, limited to campus users, or password-protected so that only authorized users can read or participate. For an example of a semi-public forum, take a look at the SSU Discussion Forum . These systems are easy to use since they require only the ability to use a web browser, and web browsing is a common skill. Once you have an account on the SSU web server, you can set up a conference area on the web by yourself using simple templates. If other people are on the same channel at the same time, they can have a conversation by typing at one another.