newsgroup readers vs. web-based readers

[Guest]

What are the advantages of using newsgroup readers as opposed to using web-based readers
My specific concerns relate to the use of disk space and security.

 

[Jim Macklin]

You control what messages you want to keep on your disk very
easily with Outlook Express. You can copy the messages that
have real value to any local folder you create and then you
can manually or automatically delete old messages. The
newsreader can track conversations and threads so you can
find what you want in seconds. The only advantage of the
web interface is you can get into it a Kinkos, the library
or at a friend's house without having access to setup an
account.


message
|
| What are the advantages of using newsgroup readers as
opposed to using web-based readers?
| My specific concerns relate to the use of disk space and
security.

 

[Malke]

What are the advantages of using newsgroup readers as opposed to using
web-based readers? My specific concerns relate to the use of disk
space and security.

To address your specific questions, if you are still on dial-up or
paying by the minute, using a newsreader is much better than a
web-based front end to a newsgroup (like Microsoft's CDO) because you
don't need to be online to read your groups. You also have the option
to just download the headers for a group and then choose the bodies you
want to see, so you don't have to download posts in which you have no
interest.

You also have much better searching, tracking, and filtering
capabilities if you use a newsreader. I'm not sure how security enters
into the whole newsreader experience, so maybe you could describe your
concerns about that part of your question. Obviously, if you are
downloading binaries and splashing your real email address around
Usenet, you are going to have problems. But that has nothing to do with
your newsreader client, just your behavior. Here is some stock
information about using newsreaders:

Since you are using the web interface, you may not realize that this is
really a newsgroup. You will get far more out of this resource if you
learn to use a newsreader. There are many good newsreaders for Windows,
but you can use Outlook Express since you already have it. Here are
some links to information about newsgroups to broaden your posting
pleasure!

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page3.html#12-09-02 - a brief
explanation of newsgroups
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/news/howto
default.asp (enter url on one line in browser addressbar)
http://aumha.org/nntp.htm - list of MS newsgroups
microsoft.public.test.here - MS group to test if your newsreader is
working properly

HTH,

Malke

 

[Wesley Vogel]

In addition to what Jim posted.

Getting News from Newsgroups
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/oe/gettingnews.asp

Using Outlook Express To View Newsgroups
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/directory/worldwide/en-gb/newsout.asp

Viewing and Posting to Newsgroups
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/oe/newsgroups.asp

Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp

Setting up Outlook Express Newsreader
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

Set Up Outlook Express
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/oe/setup.asp

 

[Guest]

Thanks to all who replied with the information I needed. I will give Outlook Express a try.