alt.fan.hawaii-five-o For Dummies

(Also known as the alt.fan.hawaii-five-o FAQ)

WHAT IS ALT.FAN.HAWAII-FIVE-O?
alt.fan.hawaii-five-o is what's known on the Internet as a "newsgroup". Newsgroups are public message forums, accessible to the entire world, in which people can exchange messages back and forth about a given topic. In this case, the topic is Hawaii Five-O. As a newsgroup participant, you can read messages, post messages of your own, or reply to messages already posted. Interaction on newsgroups is PUBLIC and can be seen by anyone who visits the group. Be prepared for anything you post to be seen by literally thousands of other Five-O fans.

HOW DO I ACCESS ALT.FAN.HAWAII-FIVE-O?
Newsgroups are typically accessed through a newsgroup reader. Outlook Express can be used to read newsgroups, for example. If you have what's known as a "Unix shell account" (typical of many businesses and schools), try typing "tin" or "nn" to read news.

I HAVE NO NEWSGROUP READER, OR DON'T KNOW HOW TO ACCESS IT! CAN I STILL READ THE GROUP?
Yes, you can. Google provides web-based newsgroup-reading software. Below is a button which you can use to be taken directly to alt.fan.hawaii-five-o. The interface may take some getting used to, but isn't too complicated. Press the button provided below to read alt.fan.hawaii-five-o through Google. Keep in mind that, once you're taken there, you will no longer be on this Five-O web page. If you want to know more about the group, read on below before pressing the button to go there.

Click here to read alt.fan.hawaii-five-o

WHAT IS AN APPROPRIATE TYPE OF MESSAGE TO POST THERE?
Any Five-O related message is appropriate. If you have a question about the show, feel free to ask away. There are several very knowledgable fans who frequent the group, and most are happy to answer any question. Don't worry if you think the question's been asked before. Newsgroup posts "expire" over time, so you're not expected to have read every post ever made before posting there. If you have a comment about Five-O, the other Five-O fans would love to hear your perspective. You are also welcome to criticize the show, or point out anything you don't like about it. In general, ANYTHING you can think of to say about Five-O is welcome in the group.

I'VE BEEN READING THE GROUP, AND SEVERAL MESSAGES THERE ARE PHONE SEX ADVERTISEMENTS, MONEY-MAKING SCHEMES, AND PLEAS FOR FINANCIAL HELP. WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH FIVE-O?
Unfortunately, this newsgroup, along with just about every other on the net, has been plagued with what's known as "spam". A "spam" message is a generic message, usually posted to a bunch of groups at the same time, either advertising something, begging for money, setting up pyrmaid schemes, or just simply there for the purpose of being annoying. Little can be done about such messages, other than to ignore them. It is, however, important not to "reply" to the message, no matter how outrageous it seems. By replying to a "spam" message, it is kept "alive" longer, and doesn't "expire" from the group as quickly.

Go back to Hawaii Five-O page!