I think ServerFault is better than Usenet personally. Or if we want to really draw the analogy, ServerFault is probably equivalent in quality to the comp.* hierarchy on Usenet before the AOL Mass Invasion came in, netiquette died, and Usenet imploded under a tide of spam, filth, and people who couldn't be bothered to read FAQs/manuals.
The StackExchange reputation/vote-to-close/comments system lets the active core of users gently swat users who don't conform to community standards. Either the users shape up, or they have a nutty and flounce out.
Now I will admit sometimes our swats aren't as gentle as they should be - That's something we've discussed a few times in the past, and something I think we all need to continue to be aware of.