Newsreader(s) Probs

[Slip Kid]

I've been using 40tude (Dialog) for about a year, it works fine. I'd
used Agent before -- I like the way 'tude combines/decodes multiple files.

I saw so many people here recommending Gravity and Xnews I thought I'd
give them a shot.

I need to connect via SSL. (This is all [below] happening in the
initial connect to download a group list, I usually connect immediately
in any other app - - - As described now - - The app in queston hang and
hang for a couple minutes before giving up).

Well, when checked the button in the config for SSL (with SG), it
wouldn't "stick"...That is, I would hightlight the button, close --
Upon, checked the config settihngs - - it was wasn't blacked out.
Forget that...(I need an SSL connection).

Ok, I install "regular" Gravity. I check SSL - -back out, return and
the button is still highlighted. Ok, looks good! - - So I go and grab
the groups? I still can't connect to download a group list!

Same with Xnews.

I had no prob connectiong with Mozilla. Made the switch to T-Bird - -
Fine. Agent worked as does 40Tude. I don't use OE but tried it - - it
works!

Why the prob with Super Gravity, not keeping the SSL button lit?
Gravity and Xnews? They don't obtain a connection.

My settings are the same as for the several other News Clients which
work, above. Anyone using these apps with an SSL (I have to go SSL
because I have a cable connection and acces a different ISP, they
require it.

My only reason for trying another app is Dialog often "double downloads"
- - I get the same file with double the # of parts when I update
headers. Not a big deal, it happens rarely but I thought I give another
app a try. But the three apps opther people are writing about won't
even pull down my list!

 

[The Seabat]

I've been using 40tude (Dialog) for about a year, it works fine. I'd
used Agent before -- I like the way 'tude combines/decodes multiple files.

I saw so many people here recommending Gravity and Xnews I thought I'd
give them a shot.

I need to connect via SSL. (This is all [below] happening in the
initial connect to download a group list, I usually connect immediately
in any other app - - - As described now - - The app in queston hang and
hang for a couple minutes before giving up).

<<SNIP>>

Just a wild thought, but have you given permission for these apps to
make it through your firewall??

 

[Slip Kid]

I've been using 40tude (Dialog) for about a year, it works fine. I'd
used Agent before -- I like the way 'tude combines/decodes multiple files.

I saw so many people here recommending Gravity and Xnews I thought I'd
give them a shot.

I need to connect via SSL. (This is all [below] happening in the
initial connect to download a group list, I usually connect immediately
in any other app - - - As described now - - The app in queston hang and
hang for a couple minutes before giving up).

<<SNIP>>

Just a wild thought, but have you given permission for these apps to
make it through your firewall??

Good question!

Yes, I checked the FW and AV right of the bat (the AV also limits what
an .exe can "do"). The "permissions" for the apps in question are fine.

Plus, they hang for a long time (a couple of minutes?). I don't get an
error or rejection from the server (I've made a mistake in a server
config before, and the server rejected me in a few seconds with a dialog
box saying invalid password or acount or whatever...Currently, I wait
and wait til it times out with no reason given).

Thanks, but it's not the FW/AV...

 

[Slip Kid]

Slip Kid wrote:


<snip>

As my only problem with Dialog is the "duplicate" parts in files? What I
do when that happens is I unsubscribe, close, open and resubscribe to
get a "fresh list. (one group at a time as I have fairly long list and
don't remember all I've subscribed to...)

Is there a way I can "clear" all the headers (globally) in all the
grups, close and get a fresh list for all groups in one fell swoop (and
not have to un-subsuscribe/re-subscribe one group at a time)?

That is, can I globally clear all the the headers in subscribed groups
without changing my "purge" settings? I only keep a couple few days
worth of posts -- it doesn't take long to obtain a fresh list.

It's a pain to un-subscribe/re-subscribe just to clear the headers with
duplicate parts and get a fresh list.

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

I've been using 40tude (Dialog) for about a year, it works fine. I'd
used Agent before -- I like the way 'tude combines/decodes multiple files.

I saw so many people here recommending Gravity and Xnews I thought I'd
give them a shot.

I've tried XNews. I think that the interface and flexibility are pretty
slick.

But I don't like the implementation of the keyboard and certain
awkwardnesses. I'm one of those people who wants to use a mouse *only*
when it's the best way, not the only way. XNews needs to be able to
allow the user to look at a prior post while a new one is loading; it
can't do that now. Also, the program allows downward movement through a
list, but not upward, using the arrow keys.

This is my own usability-centered critique. These points aside, I want
to say that it's a good piece of work.

Richard

 

[badgolferman]

Slip Kid, 6/3/2005, 10:06:47 AM,

I've been using 40tude (Dialog) for about a year, it works fine. I'd
used Agent before -- I like the way 'tude combines/decodes multiple
files.

I saw so many people here recommending Gravity and Xnews I thought
I'd give them a shot.

I need to connect via SSL. (This is all [below] happening in the
initial connect to download a group list, I usually connect
immediately in any other app - - - As described now - - The app in
queston hang and hang for a couple minutes before giving up).

[snipped]

One more very good newsreader you might consider trying is XanaNews.
It too can handle SSL and may have other features you are looking for.
http://www.wilsonc.demon.co.uk/delphi.htm

 

[=?ISO-8859-1?Q?=BBQ=AB?=]

I saw so many people here recommending Gravity and Xnews I thought
I'd give them a shot.

I need to connect via SSL.

Xnews does not support SSL. You need to use Stunnel if you want to use
Xnews with SSL.

<http://www.cotse.net/users/putty/intro.htm>

The navigation link 'SSL' goes to Stunnel instructions.

 

[Harvey Van Sickle]

I've been using 40tude (Dialog) for about a year, it works fine.
I'd used Agent before -- I like the way 'tude combines/decodes
multiple files.

I saw so many people here recommending Gravity and Xnews I
thought I'd give them a shot.

I've tried XNews. I think that the interface and flexibility are
pretty slick.

But I don't like the implementation of the keyboard and certain
awkwardnesses. I'm one of those people who wants to use a mouse
*only* when it's the best way, not the only way. XNews needs to be
able to allow the user to look at a prior post while a new one is
loading; it can't do that now. Also, the program allows downward
movement through a list, but not upward, using the arrow keys.[/QUOTE]

Not sure about the "read while loading" problem (I read entirely on-
line with a fast connection, so I've never needed that), but moving up
and down the articles tree with the arrow keys works OK for me.

If what you're after is to move up and down to read the articles, the
following keyboard shortcuts work (this is a cut-and-paste from the
manual). (FWIW, I use the "." all the time to move down to open the
next article, but didn't know abou the ">" to open the previous one.)

? / previous / next unread

. previous / next article (read or unread)

< , previous / next queued article

; ' previous / next thread

\ next article with >0 score (see scoring.txt)

` (backquote) next new article since last stored header retrieval
(see the section on storage)

Alt+Left Go back in history

Alt+Right Go forward in history

 

[Slip Kid]

Xnews does not support SSL. You need to use Stunnel if you want to use
Xnews with SSL.

<http://www.cotse.net/users/putty/intro.htm>

The navigation link 'SSL' goes to Stunnel instructions.

Well, that eliminated the reason Xnews didn't connect!

However, it I still don't know why Super Gravity won't "hold" the SSL
radio button (It's doesn't remain highlighted when I exit).

Or,

Why "regular" Gravity (the SSL button stay highlighted) does not
establish a connection. (Using the same apparent config as four other
news clients)

Except for the occasional "duplicate" parts in a files? I like 40Tude.
I'd be happly to solve that or or find a way to easliy clear my headers
and download a fresh batch (than unsubscribing and re subscribing).

What would be the benefits if I switched to Gravity? I suppose getting
XNews' extra step for an SSL connection isn't a hassle, so I'll consider
that...(if there is an advantage over 40Tude)

News clients tend to have quirks which people like or don't. Maybe my
current one is as close to perfection as I'm going to get!

 

[badgolferman]

Slip Kid, 6/3/2005, 2:13:14 PM,

Except for the occasional "duplicate" parts in a files? I like
40Tude. I'd be happly to solve that or or find a way to easliy clear
my headers and download a fresh batch (than unsubscribing and re
subscribing).

XanaNews does that easily in the Get Messages dialog or it can be set
as a default action if you want that. It also has batch jobs that you
can make to download headers/messages from different forums in
different servers.

 

[MLC]

_Slip Kid_, venerdì 03/giu/2005:

My only reason for trying another app is Dialog often "double downloads"
- - I get the same file with double the # of parts when I update
headers.

Did you try to fix it? It's easy: right click on the header, click on
Attachments, then on Manage multiparts... There you can unselect the
doubles.

 

[Slip Kid]

_Slip Kid_, venerdì 03/giu/2005:




Did you try to fix it? It's easy: right click on the header, click on
Attachments, then on Manage multiparts... There you can unselect the
doubles.

Yes, that can be done.

Your "fix" is ok if it's a file or two? If an entire day's word of
headers in all subscribed groups gets a double dose of parts? It is
often faster to unsubscribe and bring down a new list.

I was hoping there was a way to clear all the headers from all
subscribed groups - -Without unsubscribing/re-subscribing.



Thanks

 

[MLC]

_Slip Kid_, venerdì 03/giu/2005:

I was hoping there was a way to clear all the headers from all
subscribed groups - -Without unsubscribing/re-subscribing.

AFAIK there is no way for all subscribed groups at once.
Instead for each group you can look at the number of the articles in the
header panel (after the NG name, on the top, you see 4 numbers (w/x/y/z), y
is the number you must remember), then press Ctrl+A in the header panel and
Del to delete them all. Finally, use the menu Online - Sample headers for
selected groups... and put y in the field "Download up to...".

HTH, anyway for binaries you could try PowerGrab, it's simple and good.

 

[Slip Kid]

_Slip Kid_, venerdì 03/giu/2005:




AFAIK there is no way for all subscribed groups at once.
Instead for each group you can look at the number of the articles in the
header panel (after the NG name, on the top, you see 4 numbers (w/x/y/z), y
is the number you must remember), then press Ctrl+A in the header panel and
Del to delete them all. Finally, use the menu Online - Sample headers for
selected groups... and put y in the field "Download up to...".

HTH, anyway for binaries you could try PowerGrab, it's simple and good.

Oh, Select All & Delete? OK!

I don't need to be concerned how many I download, I have a pretty good
idea how many I need (for the past few days).

That's easier than unsubscribing/closing/and re-subscribing...

Great! I like Dialog and that was my one complaint. I'll stay put...

Thanks everyone!

 

[Chrissy Cruiser]

My only reason for trying another app is Dialog often "double downloads"

I get false "Mark Read"s but I still use it. Happens within particular
newsgroups, all of a sudden, not across the board.

 

[John Fitzsimons]

I've been using 40tude (Dialog) for about a year, it works fine.

My only reason for trying another app is Dialog often "double downloads"
- - I get the same file with double the # of parts when I update
headers. Not a big deal, it happens rarely but I thought I give another
app a try. But the three apps opther people are writing about won't
even pull down my list!

Duplicate downloads can be due to servers getting/making particular
messages with different timestamps. This is in reality a server error
rather than a Dialog one. You should however bring it up for
discussion in the newsreaders newsgroup, being sure to put
"Dialog" in the header.

IIRC Agent used to have the same problem until thy changed things so
that identical posts, with timestamps that were slightly different,
were recognised as duplicates and not needing to be downloaded.

Regards, John.
--
****************************************************
,-._|\ (A.C.F FAQ) http://clients.net2000.com.au/~johnf/faq.html
/ Oz \ John Fitzsimons - Melbourne, Australia.
\_,--.x/ http://www.vicnet.net.au/~johnf/welcome.htm
v http://clients.net2000.com.au/~johnf/

 

[Slip Kid]

Duplicate downloads can be due to servers getting/making particular
messages with different timestamps. This is in reality a server error
rather than a Dialog one. You should however bring it up for
discussion in the newsreaders newsgroup, being sure to put
"Dialog" in the header.

IIRC Agent used to have the same problem until thy changed things so
that identical posts, with timestamps that were slightly different,
were recognised as duplicates and not needing to be downloaded.

Regards, John.

You may be right...that doesn't seem to be my problem.

I think I have a clue? For some reason I don't get a steady stream when
I download headers. (I have a cable connection) I watch my DL meter and
it gets spikes (for a few seconds) at high BW (4+ Mbs) then long waits -
- no activity. This only happens when I download headers. Any other
time it's a steady stream.

Anyway, if I time out? Or if dialog locks up. Sometimes I can resume
where I *left off*. If the app locks up? Well, when I re-try, that's
when I seem to double up on the parts. It's as though it doesn't *know*
it sampled a file and *fills* it twice. Weird, but just a guess.

It happens with all the subscribed groups. I've increased my timeouts?
But I don't know why downloading headers doesn't provide steady BW?
It's an on/off deal.

Overall, I like Dialog. This isn't much of a hassle.

Thanks!

 

[Chrissy Cruiser]

It happens with all the subscribed groups. I've increased my timeouts?
But I don't know why downloading headers doesn't provide steady BW?
It's an on/off deal.

I had to kill Avast (temporarily) to make Dialog work.