Usenet is a worldwide distributed Internet discussion system. It was founded in 1980 to enable users to read and post public messages to various newsgroups. As such, it predates forums, blogs, instant messaging and P2P networks.

The popularity of Microsoft's Live Communication Server and the many XMPP/Jabber Server implementations have tech analysts like the ones over at Slashdot asking the question "Is XMPP the 'Next Big Thing'?" The advent of instant message (IM) servers has heralded the age of live communication in the enterprise.

Used responsibly, instant messaging (IM) offers the benefit of instant communication and collaboration on the corporate intranet. However, many companies, fearing IM’s adverse affect on productivity, tweak their corporate firewalls to block all ports ferrying IM traffic. A better approach is to control the IM server by bringing it in-house.

Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time communication between two or more individuals based on typed text. The text is conveyed via devices connected over a network such as the Internet.

Basking in glory after orchestrating a record punishment for a petty file-sharer in the US, the RIAA takes its legal campaign to the next level. Many may want newsgroups to stay under the radar but it’s too late - major labels have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Usenet.com and it won’t be going away.

URD is a program to download binaries from usenet (newsgroups) through a web interface.

"FSF France has decided to offer a server to freenode.net, in order to ensure the sustainability of instant messaging tools used for Free Software-related projects.

HipChat aims to provide a happy medium with its business-focused hosted instant messaging service that supports up to 100 people. Although the communication features are limited to text - there's no voice or video as with many IM services - HipChat is simple to set up, easy to use, and the price tag shouldn't make a serious dent in the company coffers.

Empathy is an instant messaging application for the GNOME Desktop. It supports text, voice & video chat, and file transfers and most used messaging systems such as MSN and Google Talk. Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala comes with Empathy as a default instant messaging client.