The course newsgroup is an important resource. It provides a forum for everyone in the class to ask questions and discuss the answers. If you have a question whose answer would be of benefit to the class at large, this is the place to ask it. Likewise, if you believe you know the answer to a question someone else has asked, feel free to post a response. The teaching assistants will be monitoring the newsgroup, but we definitely encourage students to take an active role in contributing answers as well.
[ If you need to get in touch with the course staff about an issue that is not of general interest (thus not appropriate for the newsgroup), you can contact us at cs100@cs.cornell.edu. ]
The newsgroup is cornell.class.cs100j (the "j" is for "Java"). You can use any newsreader you like to access the newsgroup. Here are two suggestions:
WinVN:
WinVN will ask if you want to get the latest group list from the
server. If this is the first time you've accessed our newsgroup,
click Yes. Then scroll down through the big list until you find
cornell.class.cs100j. Click on it and then go to Group->Subscribe
Selected Groups. This will move the group up to the top of the list.
In the future you can skip getting the group list, because your
subscribed groups will automatically be listed.
Gravity:
You may have to fill in some info about yourself (email
address, etc.). An initial "Subscribe to Newsgroup" window will come
up. You can either scroll down or type "cornell.class.cs100j" in the
"Search" box. (You can also add other groups at this point). Click
"Done" and you'll be subscribed.
Netiquette
Here is a brief list of rules to follow when sending email or posting to the newsgroup. Following these guidelines makes your messages friendlier and more accessible, thus making your questions more likely to be answered.
CIT maintains a more detailed page on netiquette, as well.