[newbie] Usenet

[Skatan1014]

now that i finally got netscape up, i want to check out usenet, because i've 
heard a lot about how it has a lot to offer in terms of articles and 
subjects.  I searched all over the net, but i have only find a site, 
www.usenet.com, that sells access to usenet....is this the vaunted usenet? I 
thought it was free.
                                                                      Vivek