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From: Kyonshi <gmkeros@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: Usenet in Traveller
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2024 17:53:31 +0100
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When trying to find interesting scenarios to prep for Traveller I came 
across this Library Data:

Xnet: An informal, rather loose association of regular topics discussed 
by Scouts, members of the Imperial Postal Administration, computer and 
communications enthusiasts which are grouped into literally billions of 
different “headers,” based on topic. Each header can be thought of as a 
sort of chain letter, which gathers comments and branches out into other 
headers as the mail packet proceeds to each subsequent destination. This 
practice can trace its roots to the “Usenet” communication network that 
still exists on Terra, as well as Usenet’s lesser imitators on other 
worlds, as well as the ultimate evolution of the peer–to–peer commentary 
network, better–known great FlameNet that exists within the planetary 
datasphere on Core.

This is from The Starchild scenario in Signs and Portents 58 which is 
also in the MgT Compendium 1, so according to Traveller canon Usenet 
still exists in the 57th ct.

Note 1: I do actually think interstellar communication in Traveller 
needs something like a Usenet-like forum, as the core setting conceit is 
that FTL communication only can happen by messages being taken along in 
ships jumping their 1-6parsec/week jumps.

Note 2: Signs and Portents was Mongoose's free ezine which they used to 
support their game systems. Note the WAS. Where I downloaded all of them 
for free from their website in the 2010s by now they sell them for 4 
bucks on drivethrurpg.