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.

news
Matters related to the functioning of Usenet itself.


 * news.admin.net-abuse.email &mdash; discussion of abuse of email 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.

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


 * talk.origins &mdash; evolution-creationism controversy which maintains an extensive FAQ.

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


 * alt.atheism &mdash; discusses atheism
 * alt.binaries.slack &mdash; artwork created by and for the Church of the SubGenius.
 * alt.config &mdash; creation of new newsgroups in the alt.* hierarchy.
 * alt.gothic &mdash; first widespread on-line community for the goth subculture
 * alt.sex &mdash; the first alt.* newsgroup for discussion of sexual topics.
 * alt.sex.stories &mdash; text-based erotic stories of all types.
 * alt.suicide.holiday &mdash; pro-choice discussion of suicide.
 * alt.tv.simpsons &mdash; discusses the TV show The Simpsons.