THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 23, 1995 TAG: 9501210028
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THE GATEWAY
EXPLORING THE COMPUTER WORLD
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
I 'VE BEEN PERUSING the San Francisco 49ers' newsgroup on the Internet the last few days. Something's missing. Specifically, the hate, nastiness and venomous flames between Niners and Cowboys fans that made a lurker recoil in the days before their NFC Championship Game.
Not only do these San Diego Chargers, the 49ers' fodder in Sunday's Super Bowl, draw no respect from the world's gamblers - they are three touchdown underdogs - they can't even generate a decent expletive-loaded attack from anybody.
Contrast that with the poison that flowed the week before. 49ers people assailed ``Cowgirl'' fans, who in turn infiltrated the so-called ``Whiners'' newsgroup, with predictions of bloody warfare and old-fashioned butt-kickings.
The sports newsgroups are the Internet's answer to the corner taproom, or talk radio without the call screening, seven-second delay button or kill switch. You log on, you get in - to spew whatever invective you wish.
Four-letter words and bitter feelings littered the Net before the ``real'' Super Bowl between Dallas and San Francisco. In the aftermath of the 49ers' 38-28 victory, the Niners' newsgroup still contained as many, if not more, posts about that game than the Super Bowl.
An example of the current tone, from the post of one 49ers fan:
``Young to Rice. . . Touchdown. Young to Jones. . . Touchdown. Young to Taylor. . . Touchdown. Young to Watters. . . Touchdown. Grbac to Singleton. .
Niners - 45; Chargers - Who cares?''
It's not just the game that's one-sided. The Chargers, for example, are among 14 of the 30 (including expansion) NFL teams without their own newsgroup. So you've got to get into the 49ers' group for the skinny on the Super Bowl among football fans.
Aside from occasional intra-group sniping from ``loyal'' 49ers fans ripping bandwagon-hoppers, it's mostly been mealymouthed stuff that gives San Diego little or no credit. It could use a charge, so to speak.
Typical has been the sentiment that the Chargers are really up against it, but that football fans should simply be grateful for a Super Bowl representative from the AFC other than Buffalo.
``No question the Niners are an AWESOME team,'' one wrote. ``I don't begrudge the Niners or you fans one bit. (But) finally, someone besides da Bills!!
Big deal, whimpered somebody named ``Rage.''
``I live in boring Boardman, Ohio, home of (49ers' owner) Eddie DeBartolo Jr. I'm disgusted with this year's Super Bowl matchup. The halftime show should be just as annoying as watching the game. I have to work during the damn Super Bowl, but I probably won't miss a thing. 49ers fans, why gloat? . .
(Signed) A disgusted football fan.'' MEMO: ``Disgusted'' could use a good bolt from some Chargers fans. Here's how
to give it: enter USENET News and search
alt.sports.football.pro.sf-49ers.
For the NFL in general, search rec.sport.football.pro.
If you have any ideas or comments for The Gateway, contact Tom Boyer
at boyer(AT)infinet or call 446-2362.
In Hampton Roads, computer users can explore the Internet through the
Pilot Online. The best of the Gateway columns are available on the
Computer Page of the Pilot Online. See Page A2 for details.
by CNB