Networks connect computers in various ways for the exchange of data. The terminology is a bit confusing to the new user. Here are the definitions this document uses:

Usenet: Not really a network, just the set of machines that exchange network news. Network news is really an extended form of electronic mail that groups messages from individuals into newsgroups that users can read using special newsreaders.

Internet: The worldwide network based on TCP/IP protocols. Besides being able to receive mail and newsgroups, these machines can use programs like ftp and telnet to communicate with other machines in real time. Most Internet machines are Unix-based.

BITNET: The worldwide network that connects many IBM mainframes. BITNET users can also transfer files using methods that are incompatible with those of the Internet.

Newsgroups

The Usenet group comp.lang.rexx exists for discussion of REXX in all its variations. Anything posted to this newsgroup also gets sent to the REXXLIST mailing list (see below) and vice-versa.

Other newsgroups of interest are machine-specific. Recommended groups are comp.os.os2.programmer.misc and comp.sys.amiga.programmer.

FTP is a file transmission protocol used on the Internet to transfer files between machines. The transfers are done in real time and usually require that the user have an account on both machines. However, many machines on the Internet support what is known as anonymous FTP, which allows users on other machines access to a limited set of files without requiring an account. Some of the more interesting sites that offer this service are:

FTP sites of interest
Address	Description
rexx.uwaterloo.ca	General repository for REXX-related  information, including free REXX  interpreters for Unix and DOS. An  XEDIT clone for Unix and OS/2 may  also be found here. Look under /pub/rexx.
ftp.pvv.unit.no	The official home of Regina, one of  the free Unix interpreters. Archives  of the messages in comp.lang.rexx and  RexxLA messages are also maintained  here. Check under /pub/rexx.
ftp-os2.cdrom.com ftp.luth.se	General OS/2 archives. Look under /pub/os2.
wuarchive.wustl.edu	General Amiga archive. Look under /pub/aminet.

Mailing lists are similar to newsgroups but use normal electronic mail to deliver the messages. The following mailing lists are mostly BITNET-based but are accessible from the Internet as well:

Mailing Lists
List Name	BITNET Node	Internet Address	Discusses
REXXLIS T	UCF1VM	ucf1vm.cc.uc f.edu	Rexx in general
AREXX-L	UCF1VM	ucf1vm.cc.uc f.edu	Amiga Rexx
PC-REXX	UCF1VM	ucf1vm.cc.uc f.edu	Person Rexx
REXXCO MP	UCF1VM	ucf1vm.cc.uc f.edu	IBM's Rexx compiler
TSO-REX X	UCF1VM	ucf1vm.cc.uc f.edu	TSO Rexx
VM-REXX	UCF1VM	ucf1vm.cc.uc f.edu	VM/SP Rexx

To subscribe to any of these lists, send a one-line message to the address LISTSERV@node, where node is the BITNET node or Internet address for the list you wish to join. In the body of your message should be the line SUBSCRIBE list-name your--full-name as in SUBSCRIBE UREXX-L Dave Martin

You will then be subscribed to the list and messages will start arriving in your mailbox. To send a message to the list, simply mail it to listname@node, as in VM-Rexx@ucf1vm.cc.ucf.edu. Note the distinction between the LISTSERV address and the listname address. You can receive help by sending a HELP message to the LISTSERV address.

Note that some of these mailing lists may be available on Usenet in the form of newsgroups with names starting with "bit.listserv". Ask your system administrator if you're not sure.

Thanks to Scott Ophof for providing this summary.

Gopher clients may find REXX-related information at the site  index.almaden.ibm.com.