I've just moved to a new Mac mini, my first desktop Mac in 20 years of Mac
use. I've reinstalled a Usenet client (Usenapp as it's compatible with Apple
Silicon and being updated). Realistically though, I've only got one active
newsgroup and that's this one. I've added a few such as comp.sys.psion.* for
old times sake.

Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.
--
Cheers,

Steve

On 19/06/2023 18:54, Steve Hodgson wrote:
> I've just moved to a new Mac mini, my first desktop Mac in 20 years of Mac
> use. I've reinstalled a Usenet client (Usenapp as it's compatible with Apple
> Silicon and being updated). Realistically though, I've only got one active
> newsgroup and that's this one. I've added a few such as comp.sys.psion.* for
> old times sake.
>
> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
> interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.

Sadly there are few that are readable now. Most active groups have a few
hardcore posters, with little variety in the posts, so can be repetitive
with the same posters giving their view. You'll need a killfile, as the
idiots who like to disrupt things are more prominent as there are far
fewer genuine posters around. (its all on Facebook now!)
Still on my list are: uk.railway, uk.rec.motorcycles[1], uk.diy,
uk.legal.moderated. TBH, there is little interest in most of those, but
there is an occasional thread of merit.
Note, all of the USA centric ones have gone from my list, far too many
idiots arguing over nothing. UK.diy is getting that way. I'm told
uk.sheds is busy, but ive never been interested in it (it has nothing to
do with sheds).
[1] FB has turned out far better for that group, still busy on FB, and
you can post pics.
--
Remove the '+' and replace with 'plus' to reply by email

On 19 Jun 2023 at 19:08:55 BST, "Alan Lee" <alan@darkroom.plus.com> wrote:

> Sadly there are few that are readable now. Most active groups have a few
> hardcore posters, with little variety in the posts, so can be repetitive
> with the same posters giving their view. You'll need a killfile, as the
> idiots who like to disrupt things are more prominent as there are far
> fewer genuine posters around. (its all on Facebook now!)
> Still on my list are: uk.railway, uk.rec.motorcycles[1], uk.diy,
> uk.legal.moderated. TBH, there is little interest in most of those, but
> there is an occasional thread of merit.
> Note, all of the USA centric ones have gone from my list, far too many
> idiots arguing over nothing. UK.diy is getting that way. I'm told
> uk.sheds is busy, but ive never been interested in it (it has nothing to
> do with sheds).
> [1] FB has turned out far better for that group, still busy on FB, and
> you can post pics.

Thanks Alan

I agree, I don't see many of the old faces from here so much and Usenet's a
bit of a dead-end for the most part. Still worth checking occasionally though.
--
Cheers,

Steve

On 2023-06-19 19:30:18 +0000, Steve Hodgson said:

> On 19 Jun 2023 at 19:08:55 BST, "Alan Lee" <alan@darkroom.plus.com> wrote:
>
>> Sadly there are few that are readable now. Most active groups have a few
>> hardcore posters, with little variety in the posts, so can be repetitive
>> with the same posters giving their view. You'll need a killfile, as the
>> idiots who like to disrupt things are more prominent as there are far
>> fewer genuine posters around. (its all on Facebook now!)
>> Still on my list are: uk.railway, uk.rec.motorcycles[1], uk.diy,
>> uk.legal.moderated. TBH, there is little interest in most of those, but
>> there is an occasional thread of merit.
>> Note, all of the USA centric ones have gone from my list, far too many
>> idiots arguing over nothing. UK.diy is getting that way. I'm told
>> uk.sheds is busy, but ive never been interested in it (it has nothing to
>> do with sheds).
>> [1] FB has turned out far better for that group, still busy on FB, and
>> you can post pics.
>
> Thanks Alan
>
> I agree, I don't see many of the old faces from here so much and Usenet's a
> bit of a dead-end for the most part. Still worth checking occasionally though.

uk.d-i-y (get yer killfiles ready), uk.rec.cycling, uk.rec.cycling.moderated...
--
Cheers ... Mark

On 19 Jun 2023 at 18:54:57 IST, "Steve Hodgson" <hamrun@gmail.com>
wrote:

> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active?

There's always alt.possessive.its.has.no.apostrophe

--
mhphillips at gmail dot com

Steve Hodgson <hamrun@gmail.com> wrote:

[...]
> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
> interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.

sci.electronics.repair - Used to be quite busy but is dying off now.

sci.electronics.design - Very busy but poor signal to moise ratio.

rec.audio.pro - Struggling.

alt.comp.lang.applescript - Very quiet but extremely useful on
occasions.

uk.tech.broadcast - Fairly active, focussed and interesting.

--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

On 19/06/2023 18:54, Steve Hodgson wrote:
> I've just moved to a new Mac mini, my first desktop Mac in 20 years of Mac
> use. I've reinstalled a Usenet client (Usenapp as it's compatible with Apple
> Silicon and being updated). Realistically though, I've only got one active
> newsgroup and that's this one. I've added a few such as comp.sys.psion.* for
> old times sake.
>
> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
> interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.

Hi Steve :-D

You'll find plenty of activity in 'alt.computer.workshop'!

Please pop in!

--
David B.

Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> uk.d-i-y (get yer killfiles ready)

A trolls paradise - just like alt.computer.workshop

--
Cheers, Alan

Am 20.06.23 um 11:17 schrieb Alan B:
> Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> uk.d-i-y (get yer killfiles ready)
>
> A trolls paradise - just like alt.computer.workshop

David's playground.

--
Gutta cavat lapidem (Ovid)

Am 20.06.23 um 10:13 schrieb David Brooks:
> On 19/06/2023 18:54, Steve Hodgson wrote:
>> I've just moved to a new Mac mini, my first desktop Mac in 20 years of Mac
>> use. I've reinstalled a Usenet client (Usenapp as it's compatible with Apple
>> Silicon and being updated). Realistically though, I've only got one active
>> newsgroup and that's this one. I've added a few such as comp.sys.psion.* for
>> old times sake.
>>
>> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
>> interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.
>
> Hi Steve :-D
>
> You'll find plenty of activity in 'alt.computer.workshop'!

You personal playground? Not really!

> Please pop in!

Sauve quit peut la vie!

--
Gutta cavat lapidem (Ovid)

On 20 Jun 2023 at 08:42:09 BST, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

> Steve Hodgson <hamrun@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> [...]
>> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
>> interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.
>
> sci.electronics.repair - Used to be quite busy but is dying off now.
>
> sci.electronics.design - Very busy but poor signal to moise ratio.
>
> rec.audio.pro - Struggling.
>
> alt.comp.lang.applescript - Very quiet but extremely useful on
> occasions.
>
> uk.tech.broadcast - Fairly active, focussed and interesting.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'd just add comp.sys.hp48 which is a group
for users of the venerable HP48 family of RPN (more accurately RPL)
calculators.
--
Cheers,

Steve

Steve Hodgson <hamrun@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 20 Jun 2023 at 08:42:09 BST, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:
>
>> Steve Hodgson <hamrun@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> [...]
>>> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
>>> interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.
>>
>> sci.electronics.repair - Used to be quite busy but is dying off now.
>>
>> sci.electronics.design - Very busy but poor signal to moise ratio.
>>
>> rec.audio.pro - Struggling.
>>
>> alt.comp.lang.applescript - Very quiet but extremely useful on
>> occasions.
>>
>> uk.tech.broadcast - Fairly active, focussed and interesting.
>
> Thanks for all the suggestions. I'd just add comp.sys.hp48 which is a group
> for users of the venerable HP48 family of RPN (more accurately RPL)
> calculators.

Years ago I used to monitor uk.amateur.radio, if you’re into that hobby.
But I’ve been inactive for years and it’s probably fallen foul of trolls.
BTW I never posted there so don’t go looking for me!

--
Cheers, Alan

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:
> Years ago I used to monitor uk.amateur.radio, if you’re into that hobby.
> But I’ve been inactive for years and it’s probably fallen foul of trolls.
> BTW I never posted there so don’t go looking for me!

uk.radio.amateur was overtaken by trolls, so uk.radio.amateur.moderated was
set up. It's fine, if quite quiet at the moment.

There's quite a number of uk.* groups that are doing ok, eg uk.telecom*,
uk.comp.homebuilt, uk.railway, uk.legal.moderated, etc.

Outside uk.*, groups like comp.misc, misc.news.internet.discuss, comp.arch,
comp.arch.embedded, comp.sys.raspberry-pi are doing ok.

There's also comp.mobile.android and misc.phone.mobile.iphone, although the
SNR of both are a bit low due to endless iOS v Android wars.
(which are technically on topic, if boring)

I assume your client offers a wildcard subscribe option? I would just
subscribe to uk.* en masse and then go through and unsubscribe from groups
that are either dead or lacking in interest. Similarly for other
(sub)hierarchies you might be interested in.

Note that some groups are easily cleaned up by some simple killfile rules,
so don't let noise spoil your first impressions. If the content is
interesting it may be worthwhile setting up the filters.

Theo
(who has 524 groups in my .newsrc, although many are not functional)

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:
>> Years ago I used to monitor uk.amateur.radio, if you’re into that hobby.
>> But I’ve been inactive for years and it’s probably fallen foul of trolls.
>> BTW I never posted there so don’t go looking for me!
>
> uk.radio.amateur was overtaken by trolls, so uk.radio.amateur.moderated was
> set up. It's fine, if quite quiet at the moment.
>
> There's quite a number of uk.* groups that are doing ok, eg uk.telecom*,
> uk.comp.homebuilt, uk.railway, uk.legal.moderated, etc.
>
> Outside uk.*, groups like comp.misc, misc.news.internet.discuss, comp.arch,
> comp.arch.embedded, comp.sys.raspberry-pi are doing ok.
>
> There's also comp.mobile.android and misc.phone.mobile.iphone, although the
> SNR of both are a bit low due to endless iOS v Android wars.
> (which are technically on topic, if boring)
>
> I assume your client offers a wildcard subscribe option? I would just
> subscribe to uk.* en masse and then go through and unsubscribe from groups
> that are either dead or lacking in interest. Similarly for other
> (sub)hierarchies you might be interested in.
>
> Note that some groups are easily cleaned up by some simple killfile rules,
> so don't let noise spoil your first impressions. If the content is
> interesting it may be worthwhile setting up the filters.

Yes I’m sure one or more of the clients I use can handle wildcard
selection. This may amuse you!

<https://qso365.co.uk/2011/02/uzu-in-ammeland/>

I was - in fact still am - a Klarsay :)

--
Cheers, Alan

On 20 Jun 2023 at 10:17:46 BST, Alan B wrote:

> Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> uk.d-i-y (get yer killfiles ready)
>
> A trolls paradise - just like alt.computer.workshop

It's OK, if you set up filters - and have a thickish skin :-) Worth it for
some top rate contributors.

uk.comp.homebuilt, uk.rec.gardening, uk.legal.moderated

Light traffic nowadays, but worth a read if they're your thing.

--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

On 21 Jun 2023 at 10:37:46 BST, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:

> On 20 Jun 2023 at 10:17:46 BST, Alan B wrote:
>
>> Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> uk.d-i-y (get yer killfiles ready)
>>
>> A trolls paradise - just like alt.computer.workshop
>
> It's OK, if you set up filters - and have a thickish skin :-) Worth it for
> some top rate contributors.
>
> uk.comp.homebuilt, uk.rec.gardening, uk.legal.moderated
>
> Light traffic nowadays, but worth a read if they're your thing.

rec.arts.sf.written is the only actually busy group I have now, here
being a distant second. But it needs a robust killfile if you're not
into American political crap. Fortunately kf'ing about six idiot
rightwingers and two just plain idiots cleans the place up pretty well;
they mostly talk among themselves.

Cheers - Jaimie
--
When one door closes another door opens; but we so often
look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that
we do not see the ones which open for us.
- Alexander Graham Bell

In article <kfbj3hFh25hU1@mid.individual.net>,
Steve Hodgson <hamrun@gmail.com> wrote:
....
> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
> interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.

The Newsgroup I enjoyed the most of all for many years was
uk.rec.motorcycles

I forget why I dropped it (many years ago now), but I see it's still
there. It will have suffered the fate that others have mentioned, i.e.
"same old, same old". But ...

I first joined it to ask a question on behalf of my son, who'd just
bought his first bike, and I know F-A about them. I immediately found
out that "it's not all about motorbikes" -- or even hardly about
motorbikes.

The denizens are (or were) some of the liveliest minds I've encountered,
and there's a wealth of experience (and - my god: opinion) in all the
walks of life. Despite their often uncouth mannerisms, they are (or
were) a civilized bunch.

In fact: I might go and sit in the corner of that particular bar in
Usenet myself, now, to brighten up this, the twilight of my life :-D :-D
:-D

John

Another John <lalaw44@hotmail.com> wrote:
> In article <kfbj3hFh25hU1@mid.individual.net>,
> Steve Hodgson <hamrun@gmail.com> wrote:
> ...
>> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
>> interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.
>
> The Newsgroup I enjoyed the most of all for many years was
> uk.rec.motorcycles
>
> I forget why I dropped it (many years ago now), but I see it's still
> there. It will have suffered the fate that others have mentioned, i.e.
> "same old, same old". But ...
>
> I first joined it to ask a question on behalf of my son, who'd just
> bought his first bike, and I know F-A about them. I immediately found
> out that "it's not all about motorbikes" -- or even hardly about
> motorbikes.
>
> The denizens are (or were) some of the liveliest minds I've encountered,
> and there's a wealth of experience (and - my god: opinion) in all the
> walks of life. Despite their often uncouth mannerisms, they are (or
> were) a civilized bunch.
>
> In fact: I might go and sit in the corner of that particular bar in
> Usenet myself, now, to brighten up this, the twilight of my life :-D :-D
> :-D

A lot of the cr*p is posted via Google Groups so just setup a suitable
filter.

--
Cheers, Alan

Steve Hodgson <hamrun@gmail.com> wrote:

> I've just moved to a new Mac mini, my first desktop Mac in 20 years of Mac
> use. I've reinstalled a Usenet client (Usenapp as it's compatible with Apple
> Silicon and being updated). Realistically though, I've only got one active
> newsgroup and that's this one. I've added a few such as comp.sys.psion.* for
> old times sake.
>
> Are there any other active groups worthing trying that are active? I'd also be
> interested in any groups that are more fun and quirky too.

Yes, there are. You'll have to find them for yourself though.
I wouldn't want to risk an inflow of posters from here
in what are still good groups,

Jan

Hint: with a good provider and a good newsclient
you can get a list of all groups,
sorted by the number of postings in them.