List of newsgroups


This is a partial list of newsgroups that are significant for their popularity or their position in Usenet history.

The Big-8 hierarchies

These are the most widely distributed and carefully controlled newsgroup hierarchies. See Big 8 (Usenet) and the Great Renaming for more information.

comp

Computer-related topics.

humanities

Topics related to the humanities.

misc

Miscellaneous topics. Examples include:misc.legal.moderated — A moderated legal forum.misc.taxes.moderated — A moderated professional tax forum open to the general public.

news

Matters related to the functioning of Usenet itself.
  • news.admin.announce
  • news.admin.net-abuse.blacklisting
  • news.admin.net-abuse.bulletins
  • news.admin.net-abuse.email — discussion of abuse of email by spammers and other parties.
  • news.admin.net-abuse.misc
  • news.admin.net-abuse.policy
  • news.admin.net-abuse.sightings
  • news.admin.net-abuse.usenet — discussion of abuse of usenet by spammers and other parties.

rec

Recreation and entertainment topics.rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated—discussion of Babylon 5 and other projects of J. Michael Straczynski.

sci

Science-related topics.

soc

Discussion related to society and social subcultures. Examples include:soc.motss— for the discussion of gay and lesbian issues.soc.org.nonprofit— for the discussion of nonprofit organization management issues.soc.rights-human— for the discussion of human rights

talk

Discussion of various topics, especially controversial ones. Includes political topics as well.

The alt hierarchy

This is the most extensive newsgroup hierarchy outside of the Big 8. Examples include: