Newsgroups/Usenet/Newsreaders

Fat_Boy

Hi

I've been looking at delving into the world of newsgroups and I'm a bit stumped!

From what I can make out I need to do the following:

1) Subscribe to a Usenet Server (eg ASTRAWEB) and pay x$/month
2) Subscribe to a newsreader for a further x$/month
3) Weep profusely as I realise how expensive and pointless the whole exercise has been!

Is there such a thing as a free newsreader, or is there a usenet server I can join with a newsreader included?

Oh and last point - if anyone can point me in the direction of an idiots guide to newsgroups I'd be greatful :beer:

Chippy_Minton

Does your ISP have a Usenet/News/NNTP server?

Outlook Express has a news reader. Click Tools - Accounts - Add - News.

Or join Google Groups and subscribe to your favourite groups.

Total cost of above = £0.

Fat_Boy

Chippy,

Am on AOL (don't say anything ) so no newsgroup access.

Is the Outlook Express newsreader anygood? Can it be used for downloading?

MikeyMike_2

By far the best site I have read about newsgroups is this one. Talks about servers, news readers every thing you need to get started.

Slycks Guide To Newsgroups

Hope this helps.

Omertron

You don't need to subscribe to a newsserver as your ISP should have a set of free ones (if not search on Google for "Free Usenet Server") so have a look on their website.

There are plenty of free newsgroup readers, outlook express or grabit are both free. Failing that, google groups http://groups.google.co.uk, will allow you to browse them on the web.

There are some useful FAQ's here: http://www.faqs.org/usenet/

Omertron

Fat_Boy wrote:

Is the Outlook Express newsreader anygood? Can it be used for downloading?

Yes for reading newsgroups, grabit is probably the best for downloading although takes a little setting up to make the most of it.

mike_paterson

Fat_Boy wrote:

Chippy,

Am on AOL (don't say anything ) so no newsgroup access.

Is the Outlook Express newsreader anygood? Can it be used for downloading?

Do a google search for free news server and you will get a lot of hits.

irnbru_2

Chippy_Minton wrote:

Or join Google Groups and subscribe to your favourite groups.

... but remember it's Usenet not Google Groups.

wonderfullife_2

Hi
I must admit I looked at the newsreaders and quite honestly couldn't understand them, much to complicated for me, all to do with headers???? So as far as I can see you don't really need one, well I don't anyway, been with my newsgroup for 2yrs and never had any probs.
I just login to my newsgroup and browse from there, so much easier for me.

I'm sure there is a reason for them, but its just beyond me

Hope this helps

MikeyMike_2

Well noted wonderfullife.

Some pay usenet providers have a built in web interfaces as well as a dedicated news server so you can simply log in and view the various groups through IE rather than having to use a newsreader program.

vgopal

i use newshosting unlimited and newsleecher.

it depends on what your needs are, then the best service can be chosen.

are you only using text or binary also?