Newsgroups

Also called Discussion or UseNet Groups.

They're used by individuals with a common interest who communicate via E-mail. All their responses can be viewed by anyone.

Newsgroups are sensitive places. Their abuse will be critised for various reasons especially if they're:

• Off Topic
• Deviating from the group's main subject.

 
• Spam
• Drawing attention to yourself by either advertising or by some other means.

Similar to newsgroups but have the main advantage that they're controlled by companies with an invested interest in promoting their products or service.

Discussions must still be within the main topic but contributers can freely promote the forums products without criticism.

Create and manage your own forum from either:

• within your own web site by using service providers like BraveNet Forums

 
• from sites like Yahoo Groups

This way you can promote your ouw service by offering advice and information but without any of the problems associated with newsgroups described above.