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 newbies 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][1], and something I think we all need to continue to be aware of.


  [1]: https://meta.serverfault.com/search?q=snark