Usenet

Usenet is a global, distributed Internet discussion system that evolved from a general purpose UUCP network of the same name. Users read and post e-mail-like messages to a number of distributed newsgroups, categories that resemble bulletin board systems in most respects. The medium is distributed among a large number of servers, which store and forward messages to one another. Individual users download and post messages to a single server, usually operated by their ISP or university, and the servers exchange the messages between each other.