okay.. I give up... how do I take advantage of newsgroups??

[zskillz]

I've used irc to find most of the stuff that I need, but I want to learn how to use the usenet newsgroups, etc. can anyone get me started on how to do it?

thanks
-Z


(pretty amazing that I can be really good at some stuff with computers and know absolutely nothing about something that apparently everyone else gets!)

If you are using outlook express for mail, just go to tools|newsgroups and load 'em (may take a while), then choose which ones you want to subscribe to.

There are newsgroup readers other than OE, but I find it convenient (read: lazy... ). If ya want to see other ways, do a google on newsgroup readers.

Cheers
Mick

PS I think google recently added newsgroups to its search as well..

edit: I'm the opposite from you - I've used newsgroups for a few years, but know almost nothing about IRC. Just starting to figure it out...

[vass0922]

You'll need a news server, most likely from your ISP
you may not need authentication, but you'll have to be on their network to gain access. When you get into your newsreader, but their news server in the appropriate place. Then you'll want to subscribe to newsgroups that are available on that server. Put in a search for "Technology" (for example) and you should come up with a number of newsgroups
Or if you know your way around (after a bit) you can traverse the tree down alt.x.y.z blahblahblah...
Good luck
Happy hunting!

I use ForteAgent (the FreeAgent)

http://www.forteinc.com/main/homepage.php

Google has a "groups" search tool (though they are not as all-inclusive):

http://www.google.com/grphp?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=

Also, try "how to use newsgroups" (including quotes) in a regular Google web search and it will bring up lots of reference on how to read, how to use in Outlook, browsers, etc.

[zskillz]

ok gang.. i'll check it out.. thanks!
-Z

[OuTpaTienT]

Definitely check out Agent (or FreeAgent). I think Agent is the easiest to use because it gives you a good visual representation of what you're dealing with. The way it lays out the whole newsgroup hierarchy it makes it easier for you to understand what's going on and where you are.

[J-Excel]

Newsbin is another easy to use client. IMO better than Agent. Geared more towards binary downloads though.

[Chuckiechan]

What exactly IS a newsgroup?

[J-Excel]

Newsgroups are kind of like forums. Each group is kind of like a permanent thread category that is purged every few days. There are various posts in each group which can be threaded. Posts can have encoded binary attachments which makes newsgroups a good source for binary downloads if you don't have access to ftp's with what you are looking for. Newsservers are like mail servers that host the groups and most ISPs have them. When you download from a newsserver you are typically downloading from your ISP so speeds are excellent.

You can search newsgroups in Google by the way. Just click the Groups tab. I check the newsgroups before making major purchases to see what problems or opinions others have had with the items I intend to purchase.