What is the “BIG-8” heirarchy?
BIG-8 hierarchies are the 8 traditional top hierarchies of the Usenet and Usenet Newsgroups.
Learn how to create a newsgroup discussion group within the BIG-8 with our
create a newsgroup guide.
| Hierarchy | Description | ||
| *Comp. | Computer newsgroups about topics like Operating Systems, software, hardware, etc. | ||
| *Humanities. | Literature, art or humanities. | ||
| *Misc. | Miscellaneous topics, that donot fit into any other BIG-8 hierarchy. | ||
| *News. | Discussions about the Usenet itself and administration groups. | ||
| *Rec. | Recreation Usenet newsgroups about topics like hobbies, games, music, sport, etc. | ||
| *Sci. | Science topics like researches, latest news and inventions. | ||
| *Soc. | Groups about society topics, social issues, cultural debates, etc. | ||
| *Talk. | Discussion about current events, news and debates. | ||
The BIG-8 hierarchies contain most of the articles in the Usenet world.
Many of the newsgroups in these heirarchies are moderated.
Only the hierarchy moderator is allowed to create new groups or remove existing groups.
If you would like to create a new BIG-8 group, you have to propose it on news.groups.
Submit as many details and information as possible.
If there is enough interest in your group, an email based election will take place.
If 2/3 of all voters voted for the group and there are at least 100 more YES-votes than NO-votes, the moderator will create the group.
All proposed Usenet newsgroups who do not meet the voting guidelines are declined.