New feature: Newsgroups Gateway

[Juan Aneiros]

This new upgrade is much simple that the explanation I'm about to give.

What is it?

It's a newsgroup to forums gateway and vice-versa.

What it does?

It works by integrating various newsgroups into our forums meaning that lots of new topics and discussions will start appearing at our forums.

How many?

Hundreds every day and probably in a more organised way because they are selected from very specific topics.

How do the posts appear?

It would take to long to explain because it involves very complicated programming. The only think you need to know is that those posts appear in the same way as if someone was physically posting at these forums.

Can I reply to those discussions/topics?

Yes, exactly in the same way as you would do with any other post.

Who will read my response?

Everyone at these forums and everyone at that newsgroup. You will be able to reply to them and they can reply to you. Even if you are not in the same place.

How is that possible?

Because this new upgrade scans specific newsgroups' messages and formats them correctly into a specific forum. Furthermore, when you reply, your post will be formated correctly so that is readable in whatever format that newsgroup uses.

But aren't newsgroups dead?

No, there still are going strong and with this new invention, they'll go even stronger. Those communities are many years old.

What newsgroups are going to be integrated?

Very specific ones, all related to Mr Lee's films. i.e Tolkien, Star Wars, James Bond, The Wicker Man, etc.

Are posts moderated?

No, they are not. These will appear in purpose built forum categories and we would not only not control in any way the content but we will not be legally responsible.

Are you allowed to do this?

Yes, I have checked already and we are in the clear. Google currently does this but in a less technological advanced way.

Who owns the posts?

The newsgroups owns everything, regardless on where it has originated.

What about smilies, attachments, etc. Can we still use those?

Yes, you can it will just translate to html and insert the appropriate tags at the other end.

Are there any bugs?

We have been using this integration in another of our sites for over two months and it works like a dream.

[Juan Aneiros]

The first test can be seen here. As you can see it works exactly in the same way as a normal forum.


If you know of a interesting and related newsgroup, let me know. It takes seconds to install.

[Old Soul]

You always full of surprises Juan

[Alfonso Casal]

I have to say these newsgroups are not my cup of tea at all.

The people in in them, esp. the LOTR group, seem to spend more time bashing each other, right-wing militaristic flag waving, calling for bombing Iraq, talking about "Sand N******", and discussing who is and isn't a b****, than they do discussing Tolkien. The Star Wars group is considerably better, but still falls into the same pattern

Oh well, it takes all kinds. That's what the "Back" Button and the "Scroll" key are for.

[Juan Aneiros]

I have to say these newsgroups are not my cup of tea at all.  

The people in in them, esp. the LOTR group, seem to spend more time bashing each other, right-wing militaristic flag waving, calling for bombing Iraq, talking about "Sand N******", and discussing who is and isn't a b****, than they do discussing Tolkien.  The Star Wars group is considerably better, but still falls into the same pattern

Oh well, it takes all kinds.  That's what the "Back" Button and the "Scroll" key are for.

You are quite right Alfonso. Still, with the use of bad word filters and automatic location of tolling, those posts can be eliminated before they show on our servers. Also, some newsgroups are better than others and it's just a matter of looking for the right ones.

I haven't finished chosing them yet or have installed any filters, also if I wanted to and had the spare time I could clean them in a couple of months.

[Juan Aneiros]

The "alt.fan.tolkien" was really terrible, I've replaced it with a more moderate one called "rec.arts.books.tolkien". If you read the letter to Mr Lucas thread you can see what I mean, trolls don't last long there.

[39steps]

The "alt.fan.tolkien" was really terrible, I've replaced it with a more moderate one called "rec.arts.books.tolkien". If you read the letter to Mr Lucas thread you can see what I mean, trolls don't last long there.

The rec. hierarchy tends (usually) to be a little more civilized than the alt. hierarchy, just because of the extra steps involved in creating a rec. newsgroup. Less of a free-for-all, and actual newsgroup charters that regulars often use to whack trolls upside the head with. My experience, when I did the newsgroup thing, was that they got a bit less spam as well, as spambots tended to target alt. groups.

[Alfonso Casal]

The change is noticible. I'm particularly enjoying the JB newsgroup.

I have to say these newsgroups are not my cup of tea at all.

I have to agree, some of them are really weird!





star38

[Trevor Ball]

I don't like them either.