The NNTP protocol and newsgroups in Outlook-Buzz.com

NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) is a TCP/IP based communication protocol, used by discussion groups, especially in Usenet – the worldwide distributed Internet discussion system. Via the stable stream connection, NNTP lets users download, read, edit and upload articles to the server database.

To provide easy access and user friendly environment the database is organized into topical categories called newsgroups, which are logically organized into hierarchies of subjects. To create and upload articles (messages, news, posts) to the server, users have to use special programs called newsreaders or dedicated websites that support discussion groups and NNTP protocol. Some of the newsgroups are moderated - it means that messages submitted by readers are not distributed to Usenet, but instead are emailed to the moderators of the newsgroup for approval. The difference between the discussion group and the discussion list is that the newsgroup requires a newsreader client program installed, while the discussion list requires only an access to e-mail.

In simple words - when a user posts an article, it is initially only available on that user's news server. Then the news server "talks" to one or more other servers and exchanges articles with them. When the user downloads an article – the newsreader program contacts the server and the server gathers all messages from all the servers, in accordance with the newsgroup.

Outlook-Buzz.com is an example of the web based newsreader. It means that the user is not required to have the dedicated program installed to read the discussion groups – only the internet browser.
On the main Outlook-Buzz.com page there is the grey Newsgroups menu (Fig.1.), with links to the discussion groups. For example, when we click New Users the page will open with topics dedicated to the fresh Outlook users that are looking for basic help and information about the program (Fig.2.).

Fig.1. Outlook-Buzz.com. menu.
 


Fig.2. A New Users discussion group.

There are a few short steps to follow if you want to ask or reply to a question in the newsgroup, or create a brand new topic,

To answer or add a question to the selected post click the Post a reply button (Fig.3.). To create a new topic click the New topic button (Fig.4.).

 
Fig.3. A Post a reply button.

Fig.4. A New topic button.

When creating the new topic you’ll see a window (Fig.5.) which is slightly different from the window when answering the topic (Fig.6.).

Fig.5. New post form page.


Fig.6. Post reply form page.

In both cases fields to be filled are:

• Name: (real name or nickname)
• Email: (your e-mail address)
• Subject: (when replying to the existing topic this field is filled and should not be changed)
• Body: (the main content of the topic – when replying do not remove the text that is already here)

In the anti-spam test field (Fig.7.) put the text from the picture.

Fig.7. Anti-Spam Turing test form.

After clicking the Submit button the post is sent to the moderator for approval (Fig.8.).

Fig.8. Post submitted screen.

Just as in the other communication networks there is also a set of rules for newsgroups, commonly called Netiquette:

•    no spamming (i.e. posting unwanted website links)
•    read FAQ first before posting
•    use the proper language both in terms of grammar and behavior
•    no excessive cross-posting (sending posts to many groups simultaneously)
•    no OffTopic – posting not about the subject of the topic
•    no post duplicating
•    no topposting (writing above the quoted post)
•    no ALL CAPS
•    no trolling – posting with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response just for the joy of arguing
•    no flaming – overreacted, hostile and insulting interaction between Internet users, often in response to trolling or spamming