This is typically your ISP's news server. This server must operate on the default NNTP port of 119. If you do not know the name of your ISP's news server you should call their tech support. This may be expressed as a name ( eg: news.myisp.com ) or an IP address ( eg: 127.0.0.1 ).
If your server requires a login, enter the details in the Login and Password fields, and check the Use Login checkbox. Under normal circumstances your ISP's server will not require a login, so if you are unsure igore this bit.
These are the groups to be used for extracting server names. Choose a group that you would expect to have more than 50 but less than 300 current messages. You must provide one group - any more are optional.
If NewsFinder returns only a few server names, then change this to a bigger group.
A common group to use is "alt.test" ( without the quotes ).
Once you have your root server, and have entered at least one group here, you may press the "Find Servers" button to start looking for news server names.
Once NewsFinder has finished examining messages for server names, the servers are shown in a list box.
You may add a news server name for group checking purposes if you wish. Enter the server name in the field above the list, and press the "Add" button below the server list.
To remove a server, select it in the list and press the "Remove" button below the list.
To delete the whole list press the "Clear List" button.
To save a list of server names press the "Save List" button.
These are normally your favourite newsgroups. When NewsFinder checks the servers for accessibility, it will also attempt to retrieve the message count for these groups from open servers.
You must enter at least one group, but you may enter more.
Once you have a list of servers, and have entered at least one group here, you may press the "Check Groups" button to start the checking procedure.
As NewsFinder looks for server names and open servers, a commentary showing what is going on is displayed. If you have problems with NewsFinder, please copy this information and paste it into your email to me.
There are several progress bars, a pair of chasing arrows, and some informational fields to show you how things are progressing. These are self-explanatory.
Depending on what NewsFinder is doing at the time, some buttons are disabled to prevent program confusion.
During the Find Servers operation you may press the "Stop Find" button to stop the operation.
During the Check Groups operation you may press the "Stop Check" button to stop the operation.
These abort functions will not work if NewsFinder is busy with a connect, as stopping during a connect is a bit dangerous and tends to cause exotic operating system errors!
The "Save Prefs" function will save the basic information ( Root News Server, Group Lists ) you have provided, as well as the server list, so that you can take a break and resume the functions at a later stage.
PLEASE take note of the following:
- MOST news servers have restricted access. If you find one open server in a hundred you are doing well. If you find one open server in five that carries your favourite groups, you should be a happy person!
- If you DO find a good open server ( and they DO exist ) you are advised not to publicise this fact. If a whole bunch of other people start hitting your open server heavily, it will soon close its doors to you.
- If your favourite open server suddenly prevents open access, do not complain. Rather be grateful for the free ride you have had. They do not owe you anything.
- Do NOT mail me asking for any open servers I might know of. I pay for my Usenet feeds.
- It is an EXPLICIT condition of use that the output from this program is NOT used to publish a list of open servers, whether in print or on the web, without my written permission. If you do I will take steps to close your publication down.
Last updated on 13-01-2000