Newsgroup question........

[tackdaddy]

i wanna get started using newsgroups but i am not sure what news reader to use.do you have any suggestions?i want one that is easy to use and free.

[Omyn]

Outlook express is a very easy to use newsreader and requires little to no configuration.

Here is a list of newsgroup servers that you can connect to and do not require you to log on.

http://freenews.maxbaud.net/newspage.html?date=2004-11-30 copy that into your web browser and select one of the newsgroups in the list. Or you can use this news-server address
news.cyberec.com which is the one I use.

In outlook, select subscribe to newsgroups, then it will ask you for the name you want to be displayed when you use newsgroups, as well as your email address that will be displayed when you post, you shouldnt put in your real information, just make something up.

Then update your newsgroup list once you are able to connect to the newsgroup server, you will then be able to subscribe to whatever newsgroup you want.

[SanDiegoKid]

If you're looking to download stuff and don't care too much about reading news and posting messages, then don't even bother with Outlook Express. Seriously.

Check out Forte' Agent http://www.forteinc.com/main/homepage.php

or my personal favorite and recommendation:

NewsBin Pro http://www.newsbin.com/

Both have free trial versions, but if you want a longer trial period just check the usual places.

Free servers aren't going to hook you up with good speed or binary newsgroups. Your ISP probably has a decent news service, so try it first. Here's a modest list by ISP:

http://www.newsbin.com/ISP.htm

If yours isn't on there just google it or get on the phone and ask them. Now if your news service doesn't have quite fast enough download speed for you, check out:

http://www.giganews.com/

It's not free, but in the end it's worth it. Hint: if you go with GigaNews, pick up an extra hard drive or two because you're going to get the goodz fast.

[riderx]

I would recommend grabit and xnews.
grab grabit here http://www.shemes.com/
xnews here http://xnews.3dnews.net/

I use both.
If you are going to grab alot of binarie files such as movies etc, i recommend grabit because you can pause and resume.

I also use xnews sometimes.

If you need some guides here are some links.

Slycks excellent guides using xnews http://www.slyck.com/xnews.php

grabit tutorial http://www.shemes.com/community/viewforum.php?f=6

If you have any questions feel free to ask here and I will help.

peace
I forgot to add that they are both freeware programs.

[ducttapeBigSexy]

Pan is actually a really nice app (even though it's only version like 0.11). It works great under Linux, however, I've had missing DLL problems under Windows (and I still can't get it to work under Windows)

[tackdaddy]

thanks for the help guys i appreciate it.

[mfgbypooter]

And let's not forget Newsleecher.
Not free, but fully funtional trialware, so you can try it before you *cough* buy it.

[kuebaldy]

OK Ive been browsing the news groups for years and have tried many readers. I always keep going back to Forte Agent. Its free and simple to use.
http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php
just follow the link and dl the freebie,

[Slycktom]

"Outlook express is a very easy to use newsreader and requires little to no configuration."

Outlook is by far the worst Newgroup binary handler. You need an application that can handle binary files. I suggest GrabIt. Very easy to use and configure and has good NZB supprort. http://www.shemes.com/

[wapazoid]

OE isn't very good at all when it comes to binary groups. I've found Usenet Monster to be a fast and reasonably priced pay service. Forte Agent is a pretty good reader, though I've taken quite a liking to News Rover.

[Greylin]

I agree with Slycktom. GrabIt is an extremely easy to use program which I've never had any problems with.

[SanDiegoKid]

I just tried GrabIt, and it wouldn't connect to my news server or download any groups.

It did, however, uninstall quite nicely.

.. gonna try it again later when the planets are alligned.