This is the "FAQ" for the Canadian newsgroup known as "wpg.general".

Below you will find some answers to various questions about
newsgroups, and the wpg.general newsgroup in particular.

OUTLINE:

1. What is an FAQ?
2. What is the purpose of this FAQ?
3.Introduction to the Internet and your place in it.
4.What is a newsgroup?
5.What newsgroups are specifically set up for Winnipeg ?
6.Topics for this newsgroup "wpg.general"
7. Some Tips for new posters (general terms)
8. History of the newsgroup "wpg.general"
9. Arguing and Flaming- what's with that anyway?
10. A beerfest?
11. Other



1: What is an FAQ?

An "FAQ" is simply the acronym for the phrase "frequently asked
questions".

You can usually get answers to questions by reading an "FAQ".
Although this FAQ is unofficial it's advice and tips are still
valuable to users both new and old, and is as yet the only one
available..


2: What is the purpose of this FAQ?

The purpose of this FAQ is to:

- answer common questions about this newsgroup "wpg.general"
- set guidelines for the group
- eliminate any confusion concerning posting to this newsgroup


3.Intrduction to the Internet and your place in it

In the past, the population of people using the Internet had "grown
up" with the Internet, they were usually technically minded, and
understood the nature of the Internet. Today, the Net community of
Internet users includes Billions of people who are new to this
environment. These Newbies (noobs) are unfamiliar with the Internet
culture, and don't feel they have a need to know of learn about the
Internet and the people who use it, so to bring these new users into
the Internet culture quickly, this FAQ will offer a minimum set of
guidelines which organizations and individuals may take and adapt for
their own use. Individuals should be aware that no matter who
supplies their Internet access, these organizations have regulations
about mail and files, what can be posted, what can not, and internet
nettiquette or how to present yourself to the rest of the Internet
community.


4. So what is a newsgroup?

A newsgroup is like a community gathering place where you place
messages about certain topics and

other people join in with their own follow up comments/messages.
There are over 100,000 different newsgroups and some specialize in
different topics like

computers, sales messages and more.
Every country has several smaller newsgroups to appeal to a certain
part of that area.
We have a large group for Canada called "can.general" and a variety of
smaller, regional groups

in each province.
Within each province, there can be local city groups.
There can be newsgroups set up specifically to sell items such as
wpg.forsale.misc, and there are

general groups such as wpg.general which are not intended for sales
messages.
There are groups like man.general in Manitoba, and ns.general in Nova
Scotia.


5. What newsgroups are specifically set up for Winnipeg ?

In Winnipeg we have the following newsgroups.
wpg.general,wpg.politics, wpg.computers.help,
wpg.dss.discussion,wpg.forsale,

wpg.forsale.computers,
wpg.forsale.misc, wpg.general.uncensored,winnipeg,
winnipeg.forsale,winnipeg.forsale.computer,

winnipeg.forsale.computers,
winnipeg.forsale.misc, and winnipeg.general



Non Sales Oriented Winnipeg Newsgroups:

wpg.general, winnipeg.general,wpg.politics,wpg.computers.help,



Sales Oriented Winnipeg Newsgroups:

wpg.forsale.misc, wpg.forsale.computers,wpg.forsale,
winnipeg.forsale.misc ,

winnipeg.forsale.computer, winnipeg.forsale.computers



Not all newsgroups are carried by every ISP (internet service
provider). Some ISPs must be

specifically asked to add certain newsgroups, which is why you may
notice that a newsgroup such

as winnipeg.general is not on all the ISPs (not propagated on all the
ISPs)


6. What topics can be discussed on "wpg.general"?


There are really no hard and fast rules except that this newsgroup is
not to be used to sell

items on, nor are binaries/pictures to be posted to it.
So basically, one could talk about any topic on this newsgroup.
However, ideally, the group is to discuss issues in Winnipeg like:
- business topics (the downtown, new business)
- entertainment (new movies in town, plays, bars etc)
- schools and changes in the workplace etc., etc., etc.

This newsgroup, and most other local newsgroups also serves a purpose
somewhat like a chat room where various posters can comment back and
forth on any topic of interest. Often arguments, or what are called
"flames" break out, that will be covered later in this FAQ.


7. Tips for new posters.

It is best to understand some basic terms when posting to any
newsgroup to avoid any possible complication or embarrassment.

TERMS

Lurker- person who reads messages and doesn't post

Poster- person who puts messages on a newsgroup

Followup- means to add a comment to an existing message

Thread- a series of messages following up to the original

Newbie(noob)- a new poster to usenet newsgroups

Cross Posting- putting the message on several newsgroups ( try not to
post your message to more than the number your ISP will allow, or you
could be considered a spammer and your ISP will deal with you harshly.

Spam- a term which means many things. Email spam means email that is
sent to hundreds or hundreds of thousands of people, it is illegal.

Flame - basically to an online putdown.

Emotions- little punctuation marks that have meaning. This is a smiley
and means that the person is trying to be funny :).
Other similar uses are:

LOL (laughing out loud), VBG (very big grin) etc

CAPS- don't type a post in all capital letters (it looks like you are
yelling)

Posting:

It is best to lurk (try to read alot of the newsgroup posts) before
posting for these reasons.
- the topic may have already been discussed
- you might get flamed (yelled at online) depending on how your post
is made.

So the best way to post for the first time is to:
- simply followup to a safe topic with a few short comments
- avoid controversial topics to start like abortion, crime, politics,
or religion. Once you post a few times, you will start to feel
comfortable..

8. History of local newsgroups.

The internet and newsgroups became widely available to the general
public in around 1994.
At this time there may have been a few thousand newsgroups in
existance and today there are over 100,000

In 1994, the only Manitoba/Winnipeg newsgroups were
- man.general
- wpg.general
- wpg.forsale.misc
- wpg.forsale.computers

Most local discussions took place on wpg.general


9. Arguing and Flaming...whats with that anyway?

Local newsgroups have always been known as useful sources of
information and at any given time you could be flamed for something
you posted. Arguing on a newsgroup is almost a cultural part of
newsgroups, and one can simply decide to participate or not.
Many believe that arguing or flaming is an art form and as such there
are dozens of variations.

Some people consider flaming to be a sport to break the boredom of a
dull day.

10. Whats a beerfest?

This is specific to the wpg.general newsgroup, it's usually an agreed
upon destination (usually a bar) on a Saturday afternoon where posters
could go to put a face to an online name, these get togethers are
usually very informal.


11. Other

What do you think should be included in this category to further
enhance this FAQ?



Note: This FAQ will be posted monthly or as requested.