How to Search for Information in Newsgroups

By using the right utilities and services to search newsgroups, you can find articles on subjects of interest without browsing through thousands of groups. You can even search individual postings.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Newsreader Programs

Using a Newsreader for a Search

1. Open your newsreader - Outlook Express, Netscape News or whichever program you are using.

2. Look for a feature that allows you to search all newsgroups for a keyword or concept. If your program permits, indicate that you want to search descriptions as well as names.

3. You will receive a list of newsgroups whose title or description contains the word you typed.

4. View the messages for appropriate postings.

Using a Web Page or a Usenet Search Utility for a Search

5. To do a search from a Web page, go to Deja News (www.dejanews.com) or one of the other sites that performs newsgroup searches. Locate the search feature, then follow instructions.

6. To search from a Usenet Search program, such as News Ferret, open the program from your desktop and follow instructions to initiate the search.

Tips & Warnings

• Web programs and utilities can search individual postings, not just group descriptions.