Have a look at the general characteristics of NNTP servers as
described within Usenet, (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet).
Those of us that DO NOT use web-based forums rely on
the availability of Microsoft.Public.Access.* NG's being peered
across the many NNTP servers around the globe.
Bill
"Fred" wrote in message
news
I'm afraid that my initial proposal/question was confusing, particularly
due
to my lack of understanding of the technology side of newsgroups.
By "single" I didn't mean eliminate categories. I meant a single "place"
for people to go. I consider the current structure here to be idea.
Given that 90% of mere mortals (myself included) don't use or know how to
use newsgroup technology, I think that any viable replacement will need
to
be a web site or accessible via a web site, Any ideas before we "go
dark?"