How do I access newsgroups?

Can someone please explain newsgroups to me? What do I need to do to get access to them, is it free service, if not who do you have to pay?

• Answer:

  Newsgroups are accessible through Outlook Express, Mozilla Thunderbird, and countless third-party programs, assuming you know the address of a news server. Most ISPs have a news server of their own that you can access at no cost; it's part of your 'net access. Your sign-up package should give you the name/address of their server. If not, ask customer service. There are also other news servers available; google "news servers". Some you pay for, some you don't. The paid servers tend to have more newsgroups and less censorship. The newsgroup names generally tell what you're in for and you might want to steer clear of the freaky stuff. On a server with many groups, you can find NASTY (and illegal) things, especially in the alt.sex.* hierarchy .