On 2010-10-11 02:50:25 -0700, "Albert E." said:

"Michael" wrote in message
news:2010101020443874364-adunc79617@mypacksnet...
Has Usenet completely died? Only 7 posts here today and they were all
spam. For the last three or four days, every Usenet group seems to be
like this. Maybe I've kill filed everyone.

The current issue of MacLife has a review of the newest version of
UNISON, which is a usenet newsreader for the mac. While it gives the
software a good review, it asks, and not too subtly, "what's the
point?" Basically saying, Usenet is dead, it's time is over, and
everything it does can now be done better elsewhere on the internet.
--
Michael



Maybe, but I find that if you have a serious question, you can usually
still get an answer on Usenet. Possibly one of the problems is that
the people who still use Usenet rarely have any questions to ask
anymore.

Usenet still has its followers, and there will be those who come and
go, and perhaps return with a different face from time to time.
I have noticed that many of the Usenet newcomers show up because they
have a question to ask, and have not been able to find an answer
elsewhere.
....and sometimes it is a long time contributor who is unable to find an
answer. I believe the numbers of lurkers, fully qualified to give
meaningful answers, far exceeds that of active participants. From time
to time they reveal themselves to provide that answer, or assistance. I
have a feeling they remain hidden for the most part, to avoid getting
involved in flame wars.

You just have to be a little more selective in choosing a group for
asking those questions.
Certainly many groups have been usurped by "flame warriors" and trolls,
but with a little discrete reading, verification, and confirmation,
answers can be found when they are sincerely given.

A good filter and kill-file set up also helps.

--
Regards,

Savageduck