There are some days I want to just sit down, and go "Claude? Rewrite Usenet. We miss it."

Reddit was so close, but it's just deteriorating more and more.

And yes, I know, social media places are only as good as the people who are on it and who use it. Just having the tech and the system up doesn't mean it'll get used.

But man i miss trn/rn/nn.

#oldnerdstuff #geekery #nntp #usenet #reddit #80s #90s

Help me find profiles to follow ...

Looking for these kinds of accounts to follow to keep informed on software and papers:

1. ActivityPub and Fediverse hosters and software developers.
2. Secure communication hosters and software developers.
3. Usenet / NNTP hosters and software developers.
4. Cryptographers, cryptanalysts, cipher code makers and breakers.
5. Writers of papers and preprints.
6. Textual Criticism buffs and translators, including producers of papers and software.

#Introduction #ActivityPub #Fediverse #Usenet #NNTP #InfoSec #Papers #Cryptography #Cryptology #Encryption #Bible #TextualCriticism #Antiquities #Translation

@thunderbird

Dear Thunderbird Developers:

I believe you would do well to establish a text-only Usenet newsgroups server for your user base. You could allow every Thunderbird email service user to have a free Usenet posting account. Since Thunderbird has a built-in NNTP client this makes perfect sense.

Boost and/or comment if you agree.

#Usenet #NNTP #NetNews #Retro #Thunderbird #Email #PlainText

@usenet
@usenet

I still don't think I understand why it was felt necessary to invent #ActivityPub, when #NNTP already existed and is proven to scale.

Why couldn't we just have an updated HTTP to NNTP gateway front end? #Fediverse

#hackers IS OUT usenet_reborn is at 1.0.0 !!! 🎉

It now has all the features needed to run as a lite TUI Usenet client. Today I added X-post — forward an article you're reading straight to other newsgroups — which is what it needed to be fully usable for everyday use.

https://crates.io/crates/usenet_reborn
https://sr.ht/~rek2/Usenet_Reborn

#usenet #rustlang #tui #foss #rust #hackerculture #nntp

note: remember also #reticulum as another mesh decentralized network we run now a RRC reticulum relay chat hub

Lambasting trolls and zealots and zealot trolls.

https://nightbulb.net/news_archive/nightbulb/parsed_subjects/

#Bible #NightBulb #Usenet #NNTP #Christ #Jesus #Christianity #Christian #Theology

NEWS : news://alt.flashback | news://alt.crossover

#Usenet #NetNews #NNTP

Usenet is an ever-living, Casper the friendly ghost of discussion networks.

Just a friendly reminder that Usenet still exists and access to text newsgroups is still FREE. Access is provided by volunteer sysops around the world. See links below.

Back in its glory days it seems that just about every academic institution had its own Usenet hierarchy of newsgroups.

Linux was revealed to the world via Usenet.

Open source philosophy gained its steam via Usenet.

Usenet is the original free speech network.

Usenet is the original 'social network'.

Simple and free access to text-only Usenet Newsgroups
https://eternal-september.org/

#Usenet #BBS #NetworkNews #EternalSeptember #usenet #nntp #decentralized #censorship #retro #freespeech

+++ Ausics (Australia)

https://newsgroups.ausics.net

https://usenet.blueworldhosting.com

http://news.chmurka.net

http://csiph.com

https://dotsrc.org/usenet

https://www.eternal-september.org

https://news.gegeweb.org

https://news.hispagatos.org

https://news.nntp4.net

https://usenet.ovh

https://www.open-news-network.org

nntp://paganini.bofh.team

https://pasdenom.info/news.html

https://solani.org

The only drawback is this.

There is a troll farm on Usenet. The purpose of the troll farm is to annoy and harass people with fake, lunatic, and disingenuous posts to try to drive them off Usenet. Once you learn to identify such posters, just put them in your killfile spam filter and move on.

Some of the discussion threads are fake, generated by the troll farmers.

Also, if you ever post a good idea on Usenet, the troll farmers will launch a tirade of malicious criticism to try to drive you away.

It's kind of like the Fediverse. Lots of mockingbirds lurk to pounce on any sentiment disapproved by their masters.

Here's the upside. Censorship is almost impossible. If someone wants to see your articles, they will. Unlike the Fediverse, which champions comformity, viewpoint bullying, and mockingbird enforcement hall monitors at the instance level, any Usenet sysop engaging in gratuitous censorship would lose all respect in the eyes of the Usenet crowd.

#censorship #usenet #nntp #freespeech

Free Usenet Hosting Providers

+++ Ausics (Australia)

https://newsgroups.ausics.net

https://usenet.blueworldhosting.com

http://news.chmurka.net

http://csiph.com

https://dotsrc.org/usenet

https://www.eternal-september.org

https://news.gegeweb.org

https://news.hispagatos.org

https://news.nntp4.net

https://usenet.ovh

https://www.open-news-network.org

nntp://paganini.bofh.team

https://pasdenom.info/news.html

https://solani.org

[for your address book]

https://soc.octade.net/usenet/

A #Fediverse group for discussing topics and tools related to #Usenet and #NNTP or #NetworkNews.

#groups #fedigroups #fediverse #retro

Image licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en). Image attribution: Benjamin D. Esham / Wikimedia Commons.

Alt...

A graphical interpretation of the "Big Nine" hierarchies on Usenet. The image shows a grid with the name of each hierarchy in a square cell. image licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en). Image attribution: Benjamin D. Esham / Wikimedia Commons.

Usenet is accessible via TOR and open access servers that don't require registration or identifying information.

The writer can write and discuss using a pseudonym or pen name without fear of retaliation from employers, government, friends, and family. This encourages some people to share their innermost thoughts they would otherwise not express. Of course it also encourages trolls, but there are plenty of trolls everywhere else.

Usenet is text-centric so unlike the fediverse there is not a stream of distracting images.

Even after all these years I still prefer reading and posting Usenet newsgroups over all other forms of so-called, 'social media'.

#Usenet #NewsGroups #NNTP #NetworkNews #NetNews #Anonymous #Anonymity #Writers #Writing

https://github.com/go-while/go-pugleaf

Pugleaf sports a web portal and built-in administrative tools.

#Usenet #RocksolidLight #Retro #NNTP #NetworkNews

1. Get a free account: https://www.eternal-september.org/
2. Get a newsreader: https://www.claws-mail.org/

Configure the newsreader with your new account credentials, download the list of newsgroups, and start subscribing.

There are many free Usenet hosts and many different Usenet reader client softwares. The two proposed above are very popular.

#Usenet #NNTP #EternalSeptember

alt.2600
alt.2600.hackers
alt.anagrams
alt.anonymous
alt.centipede
alt.cyberpunk
alt.cypherpunks
alt.folklore.computers
alt.html
alt.rhubarb
alt.sources.crypto
alt.ygdrasil
comp.os.linux.advocacy
comp.os.linux.misc
comp.os.plan9
comp.risks
eternal-september.talk
grc.techtalk
grc.techtalk.retro
hispagatos.talk
news.software.nntp
rec.puzzles
sci.crypt
sci.crypt.random-numbers
sci.math

#Usenet #NetworkNews #NNTP #retro #social

Usenet Reborn [0], a terminal‑based NNTP client written in Rust (by @rek2), is now available on pkgsrc.

[0] https://sr.ht/~rek2/Usenet_Reborn/
#nntp #usenet #smolweb #pkgsrc

Alt...

Screenshot of a terminal window running usenet_reborn. On the left, a column listing subscribed newsgroups, and on the right pane, a threaded view of the comp.infosystems.gopher group.

@selfhosting@a.gup.pe @retro@a.gup.pe @usenet@a.gup.pe @bbs@a.gup.pe @linux@a.gup.pe @nostalgia@a.gup.pe @opensource@a.gup.pe @networks@a.gup.pe @infostorm@a.gup.pe

NEWSCARD Publish and fetch permanent named records via Network News

Newscard creates a decentralized, encrypted, named record paste bin.

[git repo] https://codeberg.org/OCTADE/newscard (use most recent version only)

With a single command, name the card, snarf the file and encrypt it.

With another command, push the encrypted file to the public network.

With another short command, snarf a file from the network.

Only users knowing the name [key] of the record will be able to decrypt it.

If a strong passphrase is used to name the file, it will be very secure.

This is useful for quickly snarfing, encrypting, and publishing a text file:

$~: card enc [passphrase] [file]
$~: card put [passphrase]

It is useful for retrieving a text file with just a key:

$~: card get [passphrase]
$~: card show [passphrase]

If and when you want the general public to access the record just share the keyword.

Newscard uses nine (9) (NINE) layers of encryption with OpenSSL chacha20 cipher.

Newscard generates 9 each of: cipher keys, salts, key iteration parameters.

It would be nice if something like this were added to the ActivityPub protocol, such that keyword[@]host.url would do the same thing. Then secret text records could be stored securely for later retrieval or revelation.

#NewsCard #Pastebin #Usenet #NNTP #NetworkNews #Encryption #Cryptography #Messaging #Anonymity #Protocols #OpenSource #FreeSoftware #BlackHackJack #Censorship #Retro #InfoSec #Ciphers #Codes #FOSS

@infostorm@a.gup.pe @crypto@a.gup.pe @infosec@a.gup.pe @selfhosting@a.gup.pe

Alt...

Playing card of the Jack of Clubs. The Jack is a moustached man in a black top hat and suit in a oval center cameo. The colors are inverted so that everything on the face is black except the lines which are white, like a charcoal cutout picture., giving it a retro digital appearance mixed with retro handicraft vibes.

https://rocksolid-us.pugleaf.net/

#NNTP #Usenet #RocksolidLight #Retro #PugLeaf

I have been away from the Internet for at least a couple months. I came to quickly check my feeds and I am sad to have found report of the passing away of a very cool hacker, Thom Miller, known by the handle, Retro Guy. According to his wife Kaylen Miller, Thom died about two weeks ago from pancreatic cancer. He had a years-long struggle with cancer and multiple therapies and surgeries. During all the time of his illness he continued to hack away providing network access and software updates absolutely free to his user base. He was a strong believer in the value of open and decentralized communication for all. His software is simple and awesome, and useful for censorship-resistant communication. (https://gitlab.com/rslight-public/rocksolid-light)

Thom, known as Retro Guy, created the Rocksolid Light NNTP forums and server software. He served the hacker community as a free speech advocate and provider of free speech communication networking. He refused to censor opinions that he found offensive or stupid on the principle of the golden rule. He endured a lot of annoyances to provide service for many. Thom maintained the software for years giving web-based NNTP access to countless users. Thom was always helpful and patient with users needing assistance, even when he was feeling ill and suffering. He pushed through his pain to serve others with something he believed was a necessary tool and blessing for the general public.

I am sad to learn of Thom's passing. He will be missed and remembered. I will remember him by continuing to run his software.

More:
https://news.novabbs.org/rocksolid/article-flat.php?id=1024&group=rocksolid.nodes.help#1024

More:
https://news.novabbs.org/rocksolid/article-flat.php?id=560&group=rocksolid.nodes.announce#560

More:
https://news.novabbs.org/rocksolid/article-flat.php?id=561&group=rocksolid.nodes.announce#561

More:
https://www.novabbs.com/interests/article-flat.php?id=25410&group=alt.obituaries

#obituary #rocksolidlight #usenet #nntp #freespeech #cancer #condolences #networknews #retroguy #novabbs #bbs

This is cool.

It is a Fediverse server you can use with a newsreader client like Thunderbird.

Demo: https://illuminant.asjo.org/
Profile: https://illuminant.asjo.org/user/asjo
Source: https://koldfront.dk/git/illuminant/

#NNTP #Illuminant #Fediverse #Software #Usenet #CoolCode

@infostorm@a.gup.pe @usenet@a.gup.pe @usenet@lemmy.ml

NEWSCARD Publish and fetch permanent named records via Network News

Newscard creates a decentralized, encrypted, named record paste bin.

[git repo] https://codeberg.org/OCTADE/newscard (use most recent version only)

With a single command, name the card, snarf the file and encrypt it.

With another command, push the encrypted file to the public network.

With another short command, snarf a file from the network.

Only users knowing the name [key] of the record will be able to decrypt it.

If a strong passphrase is used to name the file, it will be very secure.

This is useful for quickly snarfing, encrypting, and publishing a text file:

$~: card enc [passphrase] [file]
$~: card put [passphrase]

It is useful for retrieving a text file with just a key:

$~: card get [passphrase]
$~: card show [passphrase]

If and when you want the general public to access the record just share the keyword.

Newscard uses nine (9) (NINE) layers of encryption with OpenSSL chacha20 cipher.

Newscard generates 9 each of: cipher keys, salts, key iteration parameters.

It would be nice if something like this were added to the ActivityPub protocol, such that keyword[@]host.url would do the same thing. Then secret text records could be stored securely for later retrieval or revelation.

#NewsCard #Pastebin #Usenet #NNTP #NetworkNews #Encryption #Cryptography #Messaging #Anonymity #Protocols #OpenSource #FreeSoftware #BlackHackJack #Censorship #Retro #InfoSec #Ciphers #Codes #FOSS

@infostorm@a.gup.pe @crypto@a.gup.pe @infosec@a.gup.pe

Alt...

Playing card of the Jack of Clubs. The Jack is a moustached man in a black top hat and suit in a oval center cameo. The colors are inverted so that everything on the face is black except the lines which are white, like a charcoal cutout picture., giving it a retro digital appearance mixed with retro handicraft vibes.

Behold! The net cop gives expensive advice! You are basically requiring that I pay for yet another ERC20 cryptocurrency token just to send text messages.

From the Autonomi site:

"WHEN SOMEONE (A PERSON OR A COLLECTIVE) UPLOADS DATA THEY PAY A FEE TO DO SO."

"+1 Million tokens on offer for early contributors."

"MaidSafe are the team behind Autonomi ..."

Newscard has several selling points:

0. It's not for sale. Try that with Autonomi, Maidsafe, and a thousand others.
1. It is free, unlike your suggested cryptocurrency pump.
2. My solution is simple and elegant - naming small text files for retrieval.
3. Newscard uses existing infrastructure already in operation for decades.
4. Many mature client softwares and terminal emulators already exist for the task.
5. Newscard doesn't require investment or payment.
6. Newscard doesn't have an integrated, useless payment system.
7. Newscard is ANONYMOUS and uses The Onion Network by default.
8. Users won't lose their money when using Newscard.

And my Newscard solution doesn't require taking zillions of dollars from people who will likely never see a return on their token investment. Storage token sale schemes are a dime a dozen. I can't believe you think I have the credulity to swallow such a scheme.

For almost two decades running countless crews have claimed that they will, 'decentralize the Internet' if you give them your money.

Newsflash: The Internet already is decentralized. Decentralization is a basic part of the design of the Internet. It already routes around damage and censorship by default. Why do I need to pay for a crypto token for something that already exists? Decentralized Usenet has been in continuous operation for decades. I'm already using the 'decentralized Internet' for the Newscard protocol. I've been using the 'decentralized Internet' since forever! It doesn't need to be decentralized by crypto pump schemes. The Internet is already decentralized.

So we already have a decentralized Internet where data storage is abundant and cheap. And these token pumpers want to set themselves up as gatekeepers so we have to pay them to get the tokens to store our data. That is not decentralization. That is the essence of a centralized monetary gatekeeper!

You accused me of misusing Usenet. Yet I am only doing what people have done with Usenet for decades--posting encrypted messages. I'm not misusing Usenet. You're misusing my patience for cryptocurrency dumps and re-hashed token sales strategies.

#CryptoCurrency #Tokens #Decentralization #Usenet #NNTP #Internet #Censorship #Blockchain

NEWSCARD Publish and fetch permanent named records via Network News

Newscard creates a decentralized, encrypted, named record paste bin.

[git repo] https://codeberg.org/OCTADE/newscard (use most recent version only)

With a single command, name the card, snarf the file and encrypt it.

With another command, push the encrypted file to the public network.

With another short command, snarf a file from the network.

Only users knowing the name [key] of the record will be able to decrypt it.

If a strong passphrase is used to name the file, it will be very secure.

This is useful for quickly snarfing, encrypting, and publishing a text file:

$~: card enc [passphrase] [file]
$~: card put [passphrase]

It is useful for retrieving a text file with just a key:

$~: card get [passphrase]
$~: card show [passphrase]

If and when you want the general public to access the record just share the keyword.

Newscard uses nine (9) (NINE) layers of encryption with OpenSSL chacha20 cipher.

Newscard generates 9 each of: cipher keys, salts, key iteration parameters.

It would be nice if something like this were added to the ActivityPub protocol, such that keyword[@]host.url would do the same thing. Then secret text records could be stored securely for later retrieval or revelation.

#NewsCard #Pastebin #Usenet #NNTP #NetworkNews #Encryption #Cryptography #Messaging #Anonymity #Protocols #OpenSource #FreeSoftware #BlackHackJack #Censorship #Retro #InfoSec #Ciphers #Codes #FOSS

@infostorm@a.gup.pe @usenet@lemmy.world @crypto@a.gup.pe @infosec@a.gup.pe

Alt...

Playing card of the Jack of Clubs. The Jack is a moustached man in a black top hat and suit in a oval center cameo. The colors are inverted so that everything on the face is black except the lines which are white, like a charcoal cutout picture., giving it a retro digital appearance mixed with retro handicraft vibes.