Off-Topic: Newsgroup Readers/Viewers - Best/Most Useful One??

[Marc Bressman]

I know this is off-topic, but I couldn't find a newsgroup that was
appropriate for this post (like a lounge for MVP's or something)...so I
apologize in advance.

I currently use Outlook Express (or Outlook Newsreader : "C:\Program
Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" /outnews) for viewing newsgroups. While
its a nice program, it does have a few shortcomings, not the least of which
is its difficulty in truly tracking and reporting responses to posts made by
the user. I figured since a lot of MVP's and others on these newsgroups
tend to respond to a lot of newsgroup posts, and are usually very good about
responding to responses of theirs as well, they might be using a different
service or program that is better at notifying when replies have been posted
or tracking replies. So, does anyone know of a good service (preferrably
free) or program that tracks posts and can somehow notify the user of
replies to that post. Perhaps a program that automatically checks to see if
there have been replies made to any of your posts and if there have, reports
this somehow (email, pop-up, etc.)? I know Microsoft currently has the
web-based Microsoft Discussion Groups, which is basically most of the
microsoft office newsgroups, and that you can set it up to notify you via
email on a reply to a post, which is really nice, except that it doesn't
have all the microsoft newsgroups and it doesn't have any other newsgroups
either.

I use newsgroups a lot of times to ask troubleshooting or technical
questions, and a lot of times I don't check back as often as I should or
forget sometimes, and thus I can miss a lot before I remember to check my
posts once more. So, if anyone can offer any advice or help regarding a
different program or service, it'd be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks

- marc

 

[PA Bear]

Excessive crossposting eliminated.

In OE:

1. Create a Message Rule to flag or mark with a color all posts from you
(e.g., Marc Bressman).

2. View>Current View>Show Replies to my messages (or CTRL+H)
--
OE6-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress

HTH - Please Reply to This Thread

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

AumHa Forums
http://forum.mvps.org/

What You Should Know About Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx

I know this is off-topic, but I couldn't find a newsgroup that was
appropriate for this post (like a lounge for MVP's or something)...so I
apologize in advance.

I currently use Outlook Express (or Outlook Newsreader : "C:\Program
Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" /outnews) for viewing newsgroups. While
its a nice program, it does have a few shortcomings, not the least of
which is its difficulty in truly tracking and reporting responses to
posts made by the user.

<snip>

 

[Agent_C]

The gold standard is Forte 'Agent':

http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php

BTW, you should also brush up on Usenet etiquette... You cross-posted
your message to _way_ too many groups.

A_C

 

[Robert Smith]

Another great is XanaNews and it's free!

http://www.wilsonc.demon.co.uk/d7xananews.htm

7/24/2004 12:41:17 AM


<#[email protected]>

I know this is off-topic, but I couldn't find a newsgroup that was

appropriate for this post (like a lounge for MVP's or something)...

so I

apologize in advance.

I currently use Outlook Express (or Outlook Newsreader : "C:\Program

Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" /outnews) for viewing newsgroups. While

its a nice program, it does have a few shortcomings, not the least

of which

is its difficulty in truly tracking and reporting responses to

posts made by

the user. I figured since a lot of MVP's and others on these newsgroups

tend to respond to a lot of newsgroup posts, and are usually very

good about

responding to responses of theirs as well, they might be using a different

service or program that is better at notifying when replies have

been posted

or tracking replies. So, does anyone know of a good service (preferrably

free) or program that tracks posts and can somehow notify the user of

replies to that post. Perhaps a program that automatically checks

to see if

there have been replies made to any of your posts and if there have, reports

this somehow (email, pop-up, etc.)? I know Microsoft currently has the

web-based Microsoft Discussion Groups, which is basically most of the

microsoft office newsgroups, and that you can set it up to notify

you via

email on a reply to a post, which is really nice, except that it doesn't

have all the microsoft newsgroups and it doesn't have any other newsgroups



I use newsgroups a lot of times to ask troubleshooting or technical

questions, and a lot of times I don't check back as often as I

should or

forget sometimes, and thus I can miss a lot before I remember to

check my

posts once more. So, if anyone can offer any advice or help

regarding a

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

As bad as OE is, there are worse. <g> A lot of people like Agent, I
occasionally use XanaNews, but I keep coming back to OE.

If finding old posts is a problem, try google groups.
http://groups.google.com/ - use the advanced search and you shouldn't have a
problem finding the answers.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours
Coauthor, OneNote 2003 for Windows (Visual QuickStart Guide)
Author, Google and Other Search Engines (Visual QuickStart Guide)



Join OneNote Tips mailing list: http://www.onenote-tips.net/

Vote for your favorite Outlook and Exchange utilities in the
Slipstick Ratings Raffle at http://www.slipstick.com/contest/

 

[Alex Nichol]

I currently use Outlook Express (or Outlook Newsreader : "C:\Program
Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" /outnews) for viewing newsgroups. While
its a nice program, it does have a few shortcomings, not the least of which
is its difficulty in truly tracking and reporting responses to posts made by
the user. I figured since a lot of MVP's and others on these newsgroups
tend to respond to a lot of newsgroup posts, and are usually very good about
responding to responses of theirs as well, they might be using a different
service or program that is better at notifying when replies have been posted
or tracking replies. So, does anyone know of a good service (preferrably
free) or program that tracks posts and can somehow notify the user of
replies to that post.

I use Forte Agent myself (www.forteinc.com) . With that you can set up
Usenet filters, making one to notice any posts 'From' yourself, and
using the action to 'Watch Thread'. That will then automatically
retrieve bodies for all posts that thread with your posts, and you can
set up an option in the Group - View to show you only threads which are
watched and also have unread messages with bodies in them

 

[Bruce Eitman \(eMVP\)]

Marc;

In OE, you can track discussion threads by clicking in the column with the
glasses. New posts in the thread will cause that thread to turn red.

--
Bruce Eitman (eMVP)
Senior Engineer
beitman AT applieddata DOT net

Applied Data Systems
www.applieddata.net
An ISO 9001:2000 Registered Company
Microsoft WEP Gold-level Member

 

[Mike]

OE allows posts to be flagged, watched.. posts are easy to find.. what is
the problem with it?..

 

[Ken Blake]

Excessive and inappropriate crossposting reduced.

You've already gotten some good replies that can help with your
use of Outlook Express, especially your "difficulty in truly
tracking and reporting responses to posts made by the user." I
wanted to add another comment.

What newsreader is best for *you* depends greatly on how *you*
use newsgroups. What features are important to someone else may
not be important to you. As a single example of what I mean, if
you frequent binary newsgroups, you'll probably find that Outlook
Express is among the worst newsreaders, but if you don't, Outlook
Express's inadequacies with binary files aren't important.

So I urge you to take other people's recommendations with a grain
of salt. Instead, try several and decide for yourself what *you*
like best. Many are either freeware or sharware with a free trial
period.

Many people feel that they "graduated" from Outlook Express to
Agent, for example. I'm the opposite; I started with Agent, liked
it well enough, but tried Outlook Express, liked it even better,
and stayed with it. I've tried others over the years, but keep
coming back to Outlook Express.

I don't say that with the intent of urging you to stay with
Outlook Express. Rather I think you should experiment with
several, and make up your own mind.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



In

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Excessive and inappropriate crossposting reduced.

But not enough, I see. I accidentally left in
microsoft.public.outlook, which has nothing to do with Outlook
Express.

My apologies.

 

[Eric Lawrence [MSFT]]

Also in OE, hit CTRL+H or View|Current View|Show Replies to My Messages to
only show replies to threads you've participated in.

--
Thanks,

Eric Lawrence
Program Manager
Assistance and Worldwide Services

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Guest]

Just an opinion on the web based reader format from Microsoft,
The average consumer of Office 2003 and beyond? will be introduced to this format thru purchase of this product.
If your business uses / sells products and / or services based on Microsoft technology, it only makes sense to learn and use the format to better educate your customer.

Chris Schatte
--
use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities

 

[ACE!!!]

A freeware, highly configurable and portable newsreader is Xnews.
You can find it here:
http://xnews.newsguy.com/


~S.

I know this is off-topic, but I couldn't find a newsgroup that was
appropriate for this post (like a lounge for MVP's or something)...so I
apologize in advance.

I currently use Outlook Express (or Outlook Newsreader : "C:\Program
Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" /outnews) for viewing newsgroups.
While its a nice program, it does have a few shortcomings, not the least
of which is its difficulty in truly tracking and reporting responses to
posts made by the user. I figured since a lot of MVP's and others on
these newsgroups tend to respond to a lot of newsgroup posts, and are
usually very good about responding to responses of theirs as well, they
might be using a different service or program that is better at
notifying when replies have been posted or tracking replies. So, does
anyone know of a good service (preferrably free) or program that tracks
posts and can somehow notify the user of replies to that post. Perhaps
a program that automatically checks to see if there have been replies
made to any of your posts and if there have, reports this somehow
(email, pop-up, etc.)? I know Microsoft currently has the web-based
Microsoft Discussion Groups, which is basically most of the microsoft
office newsgroups, and that you can set it up to notify you via email on
a reply to a post, which is really nice, except that it doesn't have all
the microsoft newsgroups and it doesn't have any other newsgroups
either.

I use newsgroups a lot of times to ask troubleshooting or technical
questions, and a lot of times I don't check back as often as I should or
forget sometimes, and thus I can miss a lot before I remember to check
my posts once more. So, if anyone can offer any advice or help
regarding a different program or service, it'd be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks

- marc

--
======================
ACE!!! a.k.a. ~S.
OS. Osaris / Psion 5mx
iPAQ 5550 / Nokia 6310
HTTP://www.xarane.com
======================

 

[Les Herrman]

Many people feel that they "graduated" from Outlook Express to
Agent, for example. I'm the opposite; I started with Agent, liked
it well enough, but tried Outlook Express, liked it even better,
and stayed with it. I've tried others over the years, but keep
coming back to Outlook Express.

Like you I started with Agent years ago. Have tried OE many times but
always go back to Agent. Maybe it is because I am more familiar with
Agent, but OE just plain drives me crazy.

The only thing I do like about OE is the ability to do multiple news
servers in it. Hoping Forte adds that to Agent soon.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Like you I started with Agent years ago. Have tried OE many times but
always go back to Agent. Maybe it is because I am more familiar with
Agent, but OE just plain drives me crazy.

And that's fine. Each to his own. That's exactly my point: we all
have different needs and different likes and dislikes, and what
works best for me doesn't you you, and vice versa.

The only thing I do like about OE is the ability to do multiple news
servers in it. Hoping Forte adds that to Agent soon.

I use three servers, so that's an important feature to me.

 

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

Mozilla... free, intuitative, powerful and it allows me to process a
huge load of messages every day.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Decorum does not permit me to use the language I would like to describe what
I think of Web based newsreaders. Why waste your time??

 

[Jocelyn Fiorello [MVP - Outlook]]

Eh, we're used to it... ;-)

--
Jocelyn Fiorello
MVP - Outlook

*** Messages sent to my e-mail address will NOT be answered -- please
reply only to the newsgroup to preserve the message thread. ***


In

 

[TS Mathews]

Mozilla... free, intuitative, powerful and it allows me to process a
huge load of messages every day.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Many thanks for this suggestion. What a dandy program...since learning
of it, I've now added Thunderbird--their standalone e-mail/newsreader.
I don't use it for e-mail as it has a shortcoming or two but, thus far,
the newsreader is a dandy. I'd give either Mozilla or Thunderbird
highest ratings.

 

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

dandy <<

Then... you might possibly be interested in the newsreader tips at
http://BevHoward.com/moz.htm

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]