Course newsgroups

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Description

Course newsgroups are used for on-line class discussions. See Other links below for other options.

Requesting the Service

Request a course newsgroup.

Training

No training in using course newsgroup is offered.

Documentation

None at this time.

Service Provided By

Course newsgroups are supported by ITS Core Technologies.

Cost

Course newsgroups are centrally funded.

Other links

Instructors may also set up course web pages and course/homework directories. See also Course management system info (WebCT).

Form help

Local USENET newsgroups

Local newsgroups are used for classes at the request of the instructor, for administrative projects, and for registered UCSC organizations. A newsgroup works well if you expect discussions, and feedback from others (ucsc.plan.lrpd and ucsc.2005 are examples of local newsgroups). You can access them with any of the standard USENET news readers such as Netscape available on all 3 platforms supported, or with a dedicated news reader such as Newswatcher from Macs, Free Agent from MS-Windows, xrn from X workstations or rn (read news) from terminals or microcomputers using terminal emulation.

Newsgroups are generally accessible to all, so you can get feedback from everyone. If you want to restrict what is posted to the newsgroup, you can become its moderator and screen what is posted.

In a USENET newsgroup, the messages expire automatically typically after about 30 days; some newsgroups (mostly class-related groups) expire only once the current quarter is over.

Existing local newsgroups

To get a list of all local newsgroups, point your newsreader to news.ucsc.edu, and request all the ucsc.* newsgroups. Their names generally reflect the purpose of the newsgroups. A few of the more popular newsgroups are listed below:

Your own local newsgroup

Fill out the newsgroup request form if you are interested in setting up a new local newsgroup. For more details, check the USENET FAQs , or read the handout Reading the Usenet news for UNIX specific information.