Newsgroups

kicks66 · 28 Jul 2006 at 13:37

i wasnt quite sure what forum to post this any, anyway

how do i join a newsgroup? *** software do i need? how do i configure it etc?

many thanks

kicks66 · 28 Jul 2006 at 14:51

bumped

Una · 28 Jul 2006 at 14:59

You need a news reader client - and a newgroup server you can use.

There is an integrated news reader client in thunderbird and your isp might offer you a news server.

aj_4176 · 30 Jul 2006 at 15:29

Everything you need to know is HERE

SexyGreyFox · 30 Jul 2006 at 16:33

I don't want to turn this into a slagging fest but I've been with www.easynews.com for about five years.
Whats great about Easynews is that it has got virtually 100% completion and at least 40 days of retention.
Completion = are all the files there?
Retention = How long are they there for?

The other excellent thing about Easynews that you don't need a newsreader (can if you want) because its got its own front end that is very easy to navigate and it also has an excellent search function. It also has a utility called Zipmanager (again built into the web pages) that you can store all your files in and download in one go.

For the simpleton Easynews has got to be the easiest and thats why a lot of my friends and family are on it. Virtually every other newsgroup service requires you to use a newsreader to get your files.
Heres a few screen grabs to give you a clue how wonderful Easynews is -

Front End with the search of a newsgroup
Looking inside that newsgroup
Global Search for any file you want
Zip Manager

Slam62 · 30 Jul 2006 at 19:19

isnt downloading from newsgroups illegal?

Zefan · 30 Jul 2006 at 19:21

Downloading in any form CAN be illegal, it's what you're downloading that matters.

Slam62 · 30 Jul 2006 at 19:28

yes... easynet terms and conditions clearly state no copywrighted material either up or down, ... i wonder what you would need all that bandwidth and retention for then.

Must be lots of good free stuff on there.

Energize · 30 Jul 2006 at 19:43

What advantage does a newsgroup have over bittorrent?

Slam62 · 30 Jul 2006 at 19:48

its a zillion times quicker and reliable

isnt bittorrent illeagal too

Energize · 30 Jul 2006 at 19:53

Its only what you download thats illegal, bit torrent isn't illegal in itself. I always wondered about newsgroups but bt maxes out my connection anyway.

Slam62 · 30 Jul 2006 at 20:52

i thought downloading anything was illegal

Zefan · 30 Jul 2006 at 20:54

Slam62 said:
i thought downloading anything was illegal

Are you mad?

You're downloading information to view what I'm writing here now :confused:

Downloading free software such as updates for windows and free versions of software such as winamp is totally fine.

Slam62 · 30 Jul 2006 at 20:56

oh no am i, are you sure its all :eek:

right

Zefan · 30 Jul 2006 at 20:57

.... I'd comment on your sig but that'd be bad so I wont.

:rolleyes:

Slam62 · 30 Jul 2006 at 21:02

dont you like it

Energize · 30 Jul 2006 at 21:16

Zefan said:
Are you mad?

You're downloading information to view what I'm writing here now

Downloading free software such as updates for windows and free versions of software such as winamp is totally fine.

I think he was talking about bittorent.

no_1_dave · 31 Jul 2006 at 00:52

Its perfectly legal to download anything you like from newsgroups (apart from child porn).
In this country it's only illegal to "share" (upload) copyright material. Thats why bit-torrent is dodgey. Newsgroups dont break the law at all

Energize · 31 Jul 2006 at 01:25

People downloading copyright material from the server can also be fined because they were causing the material to be uploaded to them. Hence all the civil court cases against p2p users who don't upload. People who upload can recieve a prison sentence under copyright law.

SexyGreyFox · 31 Jul 2006 at 06:52

no_1_dave said:
Its perfectly legal to download anything you like from newsgroups (apart from child porn).
In this country it's only illegal to "share" (upload) copyright material. Thats why bit-torrent is dodgey. Newsgroups dont break the law at all

Where did you get that little beauty from? - from the playground?
Of course its illegal to download stuff that doesn't belong to you.
However, the powers that be have determined that the real culprits are those that upload and put all their efforts in to squashing uploaders.