Usenet Message Format and Special Headers

Usenet is designed to permit users to exchange information in the form of messages that are sent from one computer to another. As is necessary with any message-based networking application, all Usenet client software and server software agree to use a common message format. This ensures that all devices and programs are able to interpret all Usenet articles in a consistent manner.

While Usenet was created as an alternative to email, and there are obviously differences in how each treats messages, there are also many similarities. Both are text-oriented messaging systems with similar needs for communicating content and control information. The creators of Usenet realized that there would be many advantages ...

Get TCP/IP Guide now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.