Where does the name [Eternal-September] come from ?

[HenHanna]

(iirc, i got exposed to Usenet in the late 1980's)


Where does the name [Eternal-September] come from ?

bard.google.com >>> The name "Eternal
September" comes from the early days of the internet, specifically
Usenet, a text-based online communication system popular in the 1980s
and 1990s.

It refers to a period beginning around 1993 when commercial internet
service providers (ISPs) started offering Usenet access to a much wider
audience.


Before this, Usenet was mainly used by universities and research
institutions, fostering a specific online culture and netiquette.

However, the influx of new users with different backgrounds and
expectations, often unaware of established norms, began to change this
established culture.

Here's the breakdown of the name:

-- Eternal: Refers to the seemingly constant influx of new users, as
opposed to the previous seasonal increase during September (the start of
the academic year).

-- September: Represents the month when the initial surge of new users
occurred due to commercial ISP adoption.


So, "Eternal September" humorously describes the feeling of long-time
Usenet users facing an ever-growing and ever-changing online community
due to broader internet access.

Here are some additional details:

--- The term likely originated in a January 1994 discussion on Usenet
itself, where users debated the impact of new users on the established
culture.

--- It's often used with a mix of nostalgia and frustration, reflecting
the complex feelings of older users towards the evolving internet landscape.


The concept of "Eternal September" extends beyond Usenet, representing
the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid technological change
and broader user adoption.