How do I create a new UseNet newsgroup ?
either a 'alt' or 'comp'
A possibly a Global one ?

There are a number of steps that need to be taken to start a new
group.
A full and detailed set of directions can be found at
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/usenet/creating-newsgroups/part1/

In short, you need to post a proposal to the groups:
news.announce.newgroups and news.groups with pertinent information.
Then a vote is taken amongst the Usenet Volunteer Votetakers group. If
you get 2/3's positive then your group will be created! Expect the
process to take at least a month or so.

Good luck! -shiva777

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Request for Answer Clarification by aaronngray-ga on 18 Apr 2003 13:26 PDT

I am not sure but alternate or '.alt' newsgroups do not seem to be covered.

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Clarification of Answer by shiva777-ga on 18 Apr 2003 14:02 PDT

I am sure that it doesn't matter which hierarchy you wish to start
your group in. These directions apply to all. -shiva777

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Clarification of Answer by shiva777-ga on 19 Apr 2003 08:50 PDT

The commenters are right...I stand corrected about the .alt hierarchy.
Sorry about that...-shiva777

You are correct in thinking that those instructions no not apply to
alt newsgroups.  As the document says they only apply to misc, news,
rec, sci, soc and talk.

The name alt (alternative) is not called that because the content is
alternative but becuase the sturcture the rules for the hierarchy are
alternative to the other hierarchies.  The following link provides
information about creating a newsgroup in the alt hierachy.  In
essence with alt there is no formal vote taking and new newsgroups are
created by consense.
http://www.visi.com/~barr/alt-creation-guide.html

Also there is the free hierarchy which is similar to alt but usually
with fewer restrictions than the alt hierarchy.

I'm afraid Shiva777 is mistaken.  Those directions definitely *don't*
apply to all hierarchies, and trying to start your group in the wrong
one, following the wrong instructions will be a very unpleasant
experience.

The page Shiva777 has pointed you to is *strictly* for Big Eight
hierarchies and *explicitly* states that it does *not* apply to alt.
groups.

Filing an RFC in news.announce.newgroups and attempting to discuss
your proposed new alt group in news.groups will probably get you
flamed.  Don't do this.  I don't like our customers to get their
behinds toasted!  (As a longtime lurker in news.groups, and as an
active participant during the creation of the sci.astro.seti group, I
can guarantee that this will happen.  It's not pretty.)

To "properly" create an alt group, you need to present your proposal
to alt.config.  To just up and create it, you need only issue a
newsgroup control message.  (I recommend going to alt.config!)  Here
are several detailed resources for you:

How to create an ALT newsgroup
http://www.nylon.net/alt/newgroup.htm

So You Want To Create An Alt Newsgroup
http://www.visi.com/~barr/alt-creation-guide.html

Creating An ALT.* Newsgroup
http://www.smr-usenet.com/tech/create.shtml

Index of FAQs About Starting an "alt" Newsgroup
http://www.faqs.org/usenet/alt/

You can find more information if you need it by searching Google with
[ creating and alt. newsgroup ]

Hope this helps!

--Missy

Cheers, I have found several leads on Google as well.

Goto find out about sending control messages and get the whole thing
planned out properly as well now.

Aaron - http://aarongray.members.beeb.net

Here is a short article in regards to creating newsgroups.

http://www.usenet.com/articles/creating_newsgroups.htm

Anyone can create an alt group without voting on it.  All you have to
do is send a control message.

Cheers

Usenet Guy