slrn and trn had some nice features, but I think overall the benefit from the Usenet model is that it decoupled the presentation and user interaction, which was done by decentralized clients, with the storage and propagation, done by decentralized servers. The fact that the clients could evolve independently really let them become very good at what they did, rather than the “almost good enough” of most web discussions.
I, also, miss the decoupling you mention. On the other hand, the user interface design has influence on the community by way of what-is-visible and the length of wieldy posts; e.g. mail/Usenet encourage long posts with quoting.
I suspect such systems were most effective in a techie society like the old USENET, but I could imagine it might be done still. There should still be a browser interface, however.
slrn and trn had some nice features, but I think overall the benefit from the Usenet model is that it decoupled the presentation and user interaction, which was done by decentralized clients, with the storage and propagation, done by decentralized servers. The fact that the clients could evolve independently really let them become very good at what they did, rather than the “almost good enough” of most web discussions.
I, also, miss the decoupling you mention. On the other hand, the user interface design has influence on the community by way of what-is-visible and the length of wieldy posts; e.g. mail/Usenet encourage long posts with quoting.
I suspect such systems were most effective in a techie society like the old USENET, but I could imagine it might be done still. There should still be a browser interface, however.