NetNews: For all those who want to have their say
Up to six million articles and news items reach us every day via NetNews, one of the biggest Internet discussion systems worldwide. Customers who are connected up to the SWITCH network can join in the discussions in the different News Groups, acquiring information and pooling experience – rapidly and straightforwardly.
Discussions in record time
NetNews, which is also known as "Usenet News", basically functions like a giant blackboard that is used globally by universities, research institutes and private companies. It is divided up into different discussion forums focused on special subject areas, designated "Newsgroups". There, for example, someone writes an article or news item, which the others can then make reference to. In this way, giant discussion trees can be built up within just a few hours.
Decentralised and fast
The individual NetNews items are not stored on a single computer, but on a completely decentralised basis on countless NetNews servers all over the globe. This has a decisive advantage for Usenet News and its users: extensive independence from specific interest groups – contrary to the case for centrally-hosted forums.