Using Usenet Newsgroups

How To Read Usenet Newsgroups For Free

How To Read Usenet Newsgroups For Free
By Craig
Step 1. To read newsgroups you will need a news server. A free one is Aioe.org. No registration is required, and you are limited to 25 posts per day. The server address, which you will need later if you choose to use Aioe, is `news.aioe.org` If you have a broadband connection, such as a cable or DSL modem, your service provider likely offers one for free. Below are some popular ISPs and their news server addresses (you'll need this address later). Comcast: `newsgroups.comcast.net` (more info) AOL: no server available. Road Runner: depends on your location. Check their website for your area's server address. Charter: `nntp.charter.net` (more info) Verizon: `news.verizon.net` (more info) Earthlink: `news.east.earthlink.net` or `news.west.earthlink.net` (more info) SBC: depends on your location. Check here for your server's address. You can find a more detailed list here. Alternatively you may pay for a news server. One cheap option is Astraweb which will offer you enough usage for literally 80 years for a one-time fee of $10. If you choose this, sign up the 25GB "Pay-by-Download Plan", not one of the monthly options. Your news server address will be `news.astraweb.com`
Step 2. You will need to download a news reader. I recommend Mozilla Thunderbird, which is simple and easy to use. It is also free. Download for Windows Download for Macintosh You may also use any other news reader that you'd like. Click on of the download links above. When prompted, save the file to your hard drive. Pick a convenient place, such as your desktop.
Step 3. When it finishes downloading, go to your desktop and double-click on the file to begin the installation process. The setup process should be easy -- just keep clicking the `Next` button.
Step 4. When it's finished, click on the Thunderbird shortcut on your desktop, Start Menu, or QuickLaunch bar. The Account Setup Wizard will begin. Select `newsgroup account`, and click `Next`.
Step 5. Enter the name and email address that you want to show up with your posts to the newsgroup. Click on Next.
Step 6. Now enter the address of your news server, as determined in Step 1.
Step 7. If you wish you can give your account a name, enter it here.
Step 8. Finish the account setup. In the main Thunderbird window, right-click on the news server and select `Subscribe...`
Step 9. You will now see the list of newsgroups on the server. Type in the name of the group you want to read and select it in the list. Click on the `Subscribe` button. You can repeat the process to add more groups. Click `OK` when you're finished.
Step 10. Now click on the name of a newsgroup to download new messages. Depending on your server, it may prompt you for your username and password. This information can be provided by your ISP or the news service you signed up with.
Step 11. For newsgroups with a lot of messages you will be prompted with a screen like this. Download as many messages as you'd like -- they will be the most current ones. It's recommended that you check the box to mark the remaining (older) messages as read. You are now ready to read newsgroups!
To make browsing groups easier, it is recommended that you change the way messages are displayed. Click on `View`, then `Threads`, then `Threads with Unread`.
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Step 1.

To read newsgroups you will need a news server.

A free one is Aioe.org. No registration is required, and you are limited to 25 posts per day. The server address, which you will need later if you choose to use Aioe, is news.aioe.org

If you have a broadband connection, such as a cable or DSL modem, your service provider likely offers one for free. Below are some popular ISPs and their news server addresses (you'll need this address later).

Comcast: newsgroups.comcast.net (more info)
AOL: no server available.
Road Runner: depends on your location. Check their website for your area's server address.
Charter: nntp.charter.net (more info)
Verizon: news.verizon.net (more info)
Earthlink: news.east.earthlink.net or news.west.earthlink.net (more info)
SBC: depends on your location. Check here for your server's address.

You can find a more detailed list here.

Alternatively you may pay for a news server. One cheap option is Astraweb which will offer you enough usage for literally 80 years for a one-time fee of $10. If you choose this, sign up the 25GB "Pay-by-Download Plan", not one of the monthly options. Your news server address will be news.astraweb.com

Step 2.

You will need to download a news reader. I recommend Mozilla Thunderbird, which is simple and easy to use. It is also free.

You may also use any other news reader that you'd like.

Click on of the download links above. When prompted, save the file to your hard drive. Pick a convenient place, such as your desktop.

Step 3.

When it finishes downloading, go to your desktop and double-click on the file to begin the installation process.

The setup process should be easy -- just keep clicking the Next button.

Step 4.

When it's finished, click on the Thunderbird shortcut on your desktop, Start Menu, or QuickLaunch bar. The Account Setup Wizard will begin.

Select newsgroup account, and click Next.

Step 5.

Enter the name and email address that you want to show up with your posts to the newsgroup. Click on Next.

Step 6.

Now enter the address of your news server, as determined in Step 1.

Step 7.

If you wish you can give your account a name, enter it here.

Step 8.

Finish the account setup. In the main Thunderbird window, right-click on the news server and select Subscribe...

Step 9.

You will now see the list of newsgroups on the server. Type in the name of the group you want to read and select it in the list.

Click on the Subscribe button. You can repeat the process to add more groups. Click OK when you're finished.

Step 10.

Now click on the name of a newsgroup to download new messages. Depending on your server, it may prompt you for your username and password. This information can be provided by your ISP or the news service you signed up with.

Step 11.

For newsgroups with a lot of messages you will be prompted with a screen like this. Download as many messages as you'd like -- they will be the most current ones. It's recommended that you check the box to mark the remaining (older) messages as read.

You are now ready to read newsgroups!

To make browsing groups easier, it is recommended that you change the way messages are displayed. Click on View, then Threads, then Threads with Unread.

Return to Guides