1) Subject line. This has zilch to do with "the web". Usenet exists independent of HTTP, HTML, WWW, and related acronyms. Sorry to nitpick. 2) I haven't seen any evidence presented thus far that this is a "new" phenomenon, rather than just 'new reporting' of an extant phenomenon - the massive amounts of spam ("noise") posted to usenet. I guess what I'm saying is that a reasonable study, with data, would be nice. Nth-hand reports aren't quite cutting it for me - and so I have to express my disbelief. What I've seen so far has been worded rather suspiciously - in an almost paranoiac manner. Someone cut to the chase? thanks, --elijah On Sun, 27 Nov 2005, Derek McMillan wrote:

Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2005 10:55:50 -0000 From: Derek McMillan <derekmcmillan1951@yahoo.co.uk> Reply-To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Subject: [Air-l] an emerging social phenomenon on the web

Groups of posters (who for all I know could have consisted of one person!) have hijacked usenet newsgroups for the purpose of posting irrelevant material in vast quantities and swamping the group. This was on top of all the spam.

I have shifted to using moderated boards rather than usenet now because of this.

I have never been personally attacked although my views have attracted vigorous criticisms - I particularly remember a heated exchange with fascists in Kent whose main issue was they hated people from Sussex!

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