Blueshirt wrote:

> Blueshirt wrote:
>> >
>> > There are huge advantages to web-based forums such as those
>> > offered by Google Groups.
>>
>> Personally, I think that's a load of nonsense. The Google crutch has
>> been removed, walk or get left on the ground. There are other web
>> based Usenet access points.

> You want web based Usenet access... okay so.

> https://www.novabbs.com/sport/thread.php?group=rec.sport.soccer

Testing the novaBBS site...

Futbolmetrix wrote:

> Blueshirt wrote:
>
> > Blueshirt wrote:
> >>> > There are huge advantages to web-based forums such as those
> >>> offered by Google Groups.
> > >
> > > Personally, I think that's a load of nonsense. The Google
> > > crutch has been removed, walk or get left on the ground. There
> > > are other web based Usenet access points.
>
> > You want web based Usenet access... okay so.
>
> > https://www.novabbs.com/sport/thread.php?group=rec.sport.soccer
>
> Testing the novaBBS site...

I can't say how good sites like Nova BBS and Narkive are. I am just
trying my best to help those people who are currently using Google
Groups to find alternatives to GG and transition away before February
2024... and still be able to access RSS for posting, reading and/or
simply lurking.

What I will say though is, the Usenet community have done a lot of
those projects whilst Google Groups was in operation, so how many
more people are going to help out and attempt their own projects once
the break with Google happens? I think we will see similar attempts
at archiving sites and web based Usenet access from others in the
Usenet community after February 2024 ... as we are all geeks in our
own way or we still wouldn't be on Usenet!!!

So I don't see the need for doom and gloom. My glass if half-full...

In article <2cd16a19fc98830b7e163076495f1583@news.novabbs.com>,
Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
>Blueshirt wrote:
>
>> Blueshirt wrote:
>>> >
>>> > There are huge advantages to web-based forums such as those
>>> > offered by Google Groups.
>>>
>>> Personally, I think that's a load of nonsense. The Google crutch has
>>> been removed, walk or get left on the ground. There are other web
>>> based Usenet access points.
>
>> You want web based Usenet access... okay so.
>
>> https://www.novabbs.com/sport/thread.php?group=rec.sport.soccer
>
>Testing the novaBBS site...

Success!
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ; unsubscribe from Google Groups to be seen
Merry Christmas 2023 and Happy New year 2024 Beware https://mindspring.com

Real Mardin:

> I wonder has the time come to revisit the idea of transferring rss to a web based forum?

One probably obvious thing to consider is that, when your platform is in
someone's hands, you depend on that someone: what if that someone
decides that your posts are unacceptable? what if they changes the
platform in some ways you don't like? what if they close the platform?
These are arguably important questions for a community that has lived
for 35 years so far and where free speech is practised.

Of course, if the choice is between death and anything else, the latter
may be the best option... (But it doesn't seem to me that this is the
choice right now.)

--
Cheers
milivella

On Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 5:26:06 PM UTC+2, Blueshirt wrote:
> Blueshirt wrote:
> > >
> > > There are huge advantages to web-based forums such as those
> > > offered by Google Groups.
> >
> > Personally, I think that's a load of nonsense. The Google crutch has
> > been removed, walk or get left on the ground. There are other web
> > based Usenet access points.
> You want web based Usenet access... okay so.
>
> https://www.novabbs.com/sport/thread.php?group=rec.sport.soccer

Bluitser:

Axiomate, I might say, you know how to drive your point home. I’m trying to reply via novaBBS. Are they as good as Google Groups — the Usenet flavo(u)r?

But I can tell you, Google Groups — the forum flavo(u)r — is far superior. You can format your posts/messages in line with the modern times — very much as in Google Documents or Microsoft Office.

Yes, the Google-Groups-Forums impose some rules that Usenet is not used to. The owner can restrict legitimate users he dislikes. Still, a group of owners can be created; the decisions must be unanimous when banning members. Also, some members could be free from any restrictions. For example, Mark might curse you now and then — and vice versa. However, both you and Mark are immune to any posting restrictions.

I don’t like this novaBBS, though. Cumbersome — as in the computing stone age! Back to GG…

Ion “Axiomatic Parpaluck” Saliu
Founder of Philosophical Science of Argumentative Posting
• https://saliu.com/argumentum.html

On Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 9:27:26 PM UTC, HASM wrote:
> > Does my userID have to be unique?
> One needs the username/password to access the nntp server, thus it
> better be unique.
> > I chose Mark because that's what everybody knows me as on here.
> Probably already taken, but no one will see your eternal-september ID.
> Mine is not HASM.
>
> You can customize your newsreader with a from address (I use a phony
> one), signature signature (I don't have one) and those do not need to be
> unique.
>
> -- HASM

I've now managed to register with eternal September, and seem to have downloaded Thunderbird. On Thunderbird I've typed in my name and e-mail address, and typed in a password which got me nowhere. Eventually I noticed that if I put the mouse over the word password it says "Optional; will only be used to validate the username". So why didn't they tell me that in the first place? So I've tried it without a password. It says something about available configurations; I've got no idea what that's about. Do I need to select something there? I clicked on Done and now it's coming up with "Error creating account Incoming server already exists." So I don't know what to do now.

What's this novaBBS site? Is using that a viable alternative?

Ion Saliu wrote:
>
> Bluitser:
>
> Axiomate, I might say, you know how to drive your point home. I’m
> trying to reply via novaBBS. Are they as good as Google Groups —
> the Usenet flavo(u)r?

Probably not.

I'm only trying to help the people of RSS as Google Groups is not
going to be an option after February 2024... so there HAS to be some
alternative.

> But I can tell you, Google Groups — the forum flavo(u)r — is far
> superior. You can format your posts/messages in line with the
> modern times — very much as in Google Documents or Microsoft Office.

I'm sure it is superior. It's Google, a big Tech company backed by
millions of Dollars. Nova BBS - and similar projects - are the work
of a few Usenet geeks. For the community by the community.

Over the last week, or so, I have supplied a few links to stop people
being cast adrift when Google Groups sever their link with Usenet in
February 2024. The options are there, people have to choose their own
path... so Blueshirt's Usenet Advice Clinic will now close.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Blue Year!

In article <nnd$5c4774fe$5ea8782b@ab6ccf02d55cb2a7>,
Blueshirt <blueshirt@indigo.news> wrote:
>Ion Saliu wrote:
>>
>> Bluitser:
>>
>> Axiomate, I might say, you know how to drive your point home. I’m
>> trying to reply via novaBBS. Are they as good as Google Groups —
>> the Usenet flavo(u)r?
>
>Probably not.
>
>I'm only trying to help the people of RSS as Google Groups is not
>going to be an option after February 2024... so there HAS to be some
>alternative.
>
>> But I can tell you, Google Groups — the forum flavo(u)r — is far
>> superior. You can format your posts/messages in line with the
>> modern times — very much as in Google Documents or Microsoft Office.
>
>I'm sure it is superior. It's Google, a big Tech company backed by
>millions of Dollars. Nova BBS - and similar projects - are the work
>of a few Usenet geeks. For the community by the community.
>
>Over the last week, or so, I have supplied a few links to stop people
>being cast adrift when Google Groups sever their link with Usenet in
>February 2024. The options are there, people have to choose their own
>path... so Blueshirt's Usenet Advice Clinic will now close.
>
>Merry Christmas and a Happy Blue Year!

Cheers!
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ; unsubscribe from Google Groups to be seen
Merry Christmas 2023 and Happy New year 2024 Beware https://mindspring.com

On Friday, December 22, 2023 at 2:55:49 PM UTC+2, Blueshirt wrote:
> Ion Saliu wrote:
> >
> > Bluitser:
> >
> > Axiomate, I might say, you know how to drive your point home. I’m
> > trying to reply via novaBBS. Are they as good as Google Groups —
> > the Usenet flavo(u)r?
> Probably not.
>
> I'm only trying to help the people of RSS as Google Groups is not
> going to be an option after February 2024... so there HAS to be some
> alternative.
> > But I can tell you, Google Groups — the forum flavo(u)r — is far
> > superior. You can format your posts/messages in line with the
> > modern times — very much as in Google Documents or Microsoft Office.
> I'm sure it is superior. It's Google, a big Tech company backed by
> millions of Dollars. Nova BBS - and similar projects - are the work
> of a few Usenet geeks. For the community by the community.
>
> Over the last week, or so, I have supplied a few links to stop people
> being cast adrift when Google Groups sever their link with Usenet in
> February 2024. The options are there, people have to choose their own
> path... so Blueshirt's Usenet Advice Clinic will now close.
>
> Merry Christmas and a Happy Blue Year!

Bluitser:

Axiomate, your good intentions are duly taken into account — they are highly appreciated.

A few more words about the novaBBSes of the world. They are small entities. They can’t afford a lot of storage space. Google, no doubt, can afford much, much more storage and computing power. Yet, even the Googles of the world can’t afford Infinite space — for there is no infinite.

The likes of novaBBS are Usenet services offering a web-based interface. They retain the Usenet posts for just a few years. The oldest messages are deleted to make room for new ones. Google had the incredible ambition to retain ALL Usenet posts ever written (“from the beginning of time”, as them Googles sez).

The worst part regarding them novaBBSes: Google-Google will STOP indexing ALL Usenet messages after February 15, 2024. Meanwhile, Google-Google will continue to index ALL messages/posts/conversations published via Google-Groups-Forums. Appearance in Internet searches is a not-in-disguise-blessing.

> Merry Christmas and a Happy Blue Year!

You too, Bluitser! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024 to all and each in this celebrated community!

Ion “Axiomatic Parpaluck” Saliu
Founder of Celebration Philosophy
• https://saliu.com/almighty_number.html
• Listen to Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawkins sing “Hymn of The_Everything”

Mark <Pammiesheart@yahoo.co.uk> writes:

> I've now managed to register with eternal September, and seem to have
> downloaded Thunderbird. On Thunderbird I've typed in my name and
> e-mail address, and typed in a password which got me
> nowhere.

Probably a Thunderbird misconfiguration.

You can test that your eternal-september (ES) account is setup right
using openssl.

(Not sure how to do it securely on windows with putty, the unsecure way
works but one shouldn't send passwords in the clear)

Install openssl for windows from sourceforge:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/openssl-for-windows/
The download is a zip file. Unzip to some folder.
Open a cmd.exe window.
cd to the folder where you unzipped openssl.
There sould be openssl.exe program in that folder.
Run it as:
openssl s_client news.eternal-september.org:563
After eternal-september replies enter
authinfo user <your ES username>
then
authinfo pass <your ES password>
if setup is correct, ES will reply authentication succeeded.

If so, then go back to configure Thunderbird.

-- HASM

On Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 3:21:12 PM UTC, HASM wrote:
> Mark writes:
>
> > I've now managed to register with eternal September, and seem to have
> > downloaded Thunderbird. On Thunderbird I've typed in my name and
> > e-mail address, and typed in a password which got me
> > nowhere.
> Probably a Thunderbird misconfiguration.
>
> You can test that your eternal-september (ES) account is setup right
> using openssl.
>
> (Not sure how to do it securely on windows with putty, the unsecure way
> works but one shouldn't send passwords in the clear)
>
> Install openssl for windows from sourceforge:
> https://sourceforge.net/projects/openssl-for-windows/

I got this far. A message came up saying thank you for downloading it, but I can't find it on my computer by clicking on downloads or anything; it doesn't seem to have downloaded it.

I'm beginning to think maybe I should just give up and use novaBBS.

> The download is a zip file. Unzip to some folder.
> Open a cmd.exe window.
> cd to the folder where you unzipped openssl.
> There sould be openssl.exe program in that folder.
> Run it as:
> openssl s_client news.eternal-september.org:563
> After eternal-september replies enter
> authinfo user <your ES username>
> then
> authinfo pass <your ES password>
> if setup is correct, ES will reply authentication succeeded.
>
> If so, then go back to configure Thunderbird.
>
> -- HASM

On Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 7:25:19 PM UTC, Mark wrote:
> On Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 3:21:12 PM UTC, HASM wrote:
> > Mark writes:
> >
> > > I've now managed to register with eternal September, and seem to have
> > > downloaded Thunderbird. On Thunderbird I've typed in my name and
> > > e-mail address, and typed in a password which got me
> > > nowhere.
> > Probably a Thunderbird misconfiguration.
> >
> > You can test that your eternal-september (ES) account is setup right
> > using openssl.
> >
> > (Not sure how to do it securely on windows with putty, the unsecure way
> > works but one shouldn't send passwords in the clear)
> >
> > Install openssl for windows from sourceforge:
> > https://sourceforge.net/projects/openssl-for-windows/
> I got this far. A message came up saying thank you for downloading it, but I can't find it on my computer by clicking on downloads or anything; it doesn't seem to have downloaded it.
>
> I'm beginning to think maybe I should just give up and use novaBBS.
> > The download is a zip file. Unzip to some folder.
> > Open a cmd.exe window.
> > cd to the folder where you unzipped openssl.
> > There sould be openssl.exe program in that folder.
> > Run it as:
> > openssl s_client news.eternal-september.org:563
> > After eternal-september replies enter
> > authinfo user <your ES username>
> > then
> > authinfo pass <your ES password>
> > if setup is correct, ES will reply authentication succeeded.
> >
> > If so, then go back to configure Thunderbird.
> >
> > -- HASM

I think I've managed to register with eternal september and install thunderbird. I don't know how to get the 2 combined so that I can use them to post on here.

Meanwhile I've tried to use novaBBS but got nowhere with that so far either..

On Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 3:26:48 PM UTC+2, Ion Saliu wrote:
> On Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 3:06:44 PM UTC+2, Mark wrote:
> > On Monday, December 18, 2023 at 10:04:52 PM UTC, Real Mardin wrote:
> > > On Friday, December 15, 2023 at 10:55:13 AM UTC, Werner Pichler wrote:
> > > > On Friday, December 15, 2023 at 9:58:56 AM UTC+1, Blueshirt wrote:
> > > > > Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Now at the top of the page when one opens Google Groups:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Effective February 15, 2024, Google Groups will no longer support
> > > > > > new Usenet content. Posting and subscribing will be disallowed, and
> > > > > > new content from Usenet peers will not appear. Viewing and
> > > > > > searching of historical data will still be supported as it is done
> > > > > > today."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > :-(
> > > > >
> > > > > Why the sad face? Download a newsreader and sign up to a free nntp
> > > > > service - I recommend www.eternal-september.org - and you can have a
> > > > > proper Usenet experience...
> > > > >
> > > > > It's time for happy faces!!!
> > > > Well I guess with no web-based client available anymore the chances, already slim, that somebody
> > > > new will discover this - or any - newsgroup by chance are virtually nil. The decline has been inexorable
> > > > regardless, but this will hasten it. And despite all its shortcomings, using Google Groups was comfortable,
> > > > especially with the same account on various devices. I for one will no longer be able to access Usenet
> > > > on my work computer without it.
> > > >
> > > > Also, after February Google won't add any new messages to the archives anymore, and there's no
> > > > replacement for that, is there?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Ciao,
> > > > Werner
> > > All valid points.
> > >
> > > I wonder has the time come to revisit the idea of transferring rss to a web based forum? Or at least utilising a more visible platform such as twitter / X or Facebook to promote rss and attract new members?
> > >
> > >
> > > RM
> > I'm in favour of a web based forum.
> >
> > Btw since that message appeared at the top in Google groups, I'm having problems scrolling right down to the bottom of the page for some bizarre reason. Are other people having that problem? And has anyone got any idea why, or what can be done to solve the problem? Even finding where to click "Post message" can be difficult!
> M’ritser:
>
> Axiomático, it happens to everybody in the GG interface — most of the time, that is. There is a trick to bypass the problem: the TAB key. The key might appear as a double-arrow on some keyboards. The TAB key is located leftmost, 3rd row, on the US-based keyboard.
>
> Go to the last (most recent) message. Click on the first line.
> • Press the TAB key repeatedly, until you reach the end of the page. You’ll see also quite a bit of blank space!
> • If you don’t see the ‘Reply’ button, press simultaneously Shift+TAB.
>
> Btw — If you are “in favour of a web-based forum/newsgroup”, I suggest you create your own. See my previous post. Then, make an announcement right here. I’ll join your group.

M’ritser:

Axiomático, I just came across this shortcut. It makes the process a whole lot easier.

CLICK ‘DISMISS’ IN GOOGLE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE.

Too bad, Google Groups will end soon. It was a great community, characterized by convenience. May Almighty Number bless their hearts and souls and blood-pressure numbers!

• https://saliu.com/almighty_number.html
• Almighty Number, Randomness, Universe, God, Order, History, Repetition, Certainty (or lack there of).

Ion Saliu wrote:
>
> Too bad, Google Groups will end soon.

Nothing bad about it!

But Google Groups isn't actually ending, just their gateway to
Usenet. People with Google accounts can still post away on Google's
own groups using the Google Groups interface.

> It was a great community, characterized by convenience.

To be fair that is what Google does best, convenience. But they are
known to drop things once they cease to get something out of it, so
remember, it's never about YOU! With Google you are not the customer,
you are the product!

> May Almighty Number bless their hearts and souls and blood-pressure
numbers!

The way I see it, the Google Groups connection has to die so Usenet
can carry on living... the good ship RSS will sail on, possibly with
less passengers, but with the baggage gone it will stay afloat...

Roll on February... see you on the other side! :-)

In article <nnd$630a09a1$2c479b3c@18a5e548ff366b9e>,
Blueshirt <blueshirt@indigo.news> wrote:
>Ion Saliu wrote:
>>
>> Too bad, Google Groups will end soon.
>
>Nothing bad about it!
>
>But Google Groups isn't actually ending, just their gateway to
>Usenet. People with Google accounts can still post away on Google's
>own groups using the Google Groups interface.
>
>> It was a great community, characterized by convenience.
>
>To be fair that is what Google does best, convenience. But they are
>known to drop things once they cease to get something out of it, so
>remember, it's never about YOU! With Google you are not the customer,
>you are the product!
>
>> May Almighty Number bless their hearts and souls and blood-pressure
>numbers!
>
>The way I see it, the Google Groups connection has to die so Usenet
>can carry on living... the good ship RSS will sail on, possibly with
>less passengers, but with the baggage gone it will stay afloat...
>
>Roll on February... see you on the other side! :-)
>

Hear! Hear!!
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ; unsubscribe from Google Groups to be seen
Birthday 29 Jan 1969 Born Redhill , England, UK Beware https://mindspring.com

I've still got nowhere with thunderbird/eternal september. Shall I give up and uninstall thunderbird and just use nova BBS?

Mark wrote:

> I've still got nowhere with thunderbird/eternal september. Shall I
> give up and uninstall thunderbird and just use nova BBS?

That's your choice Mark, it's whatever you find easier. Although
Thunderbird should be fairly straightforward to use. I don't recall
it being complicated. You might prefer NovaBBS...

If you are having problems with Thunderbird you can use the
Thunderbird support newsgroup and someone there will help you...as
would people on one of the eternal-september newsgroups. (They can
all be accessed via Google Groups... for now!)

mozilla.support.thunderbird

eternal-september.support

eternal-september.newusers

I don't use Thunderbird myself and haven't for years, so I can't give
you too much advice on it per se, but I don't recall it being
complicated to use.

mark> I've still got nowhere with thunderbird/eternal september. Shall I
mark> give up and uninstall thunderbird and just use nova BBS?

blueshirt> Although Thunderbird should be fairly straightforward to use.

I've never actually used Thunderbird for news (or mail), I went from
some of the *rn family of text/curses readers to Emacs/Gnus long long
ago.

To check it out I've installed Thunderbird and got it connected to
eternal-september without much problems (except that I had a very large
number of unread articles!) This was on MS Windows, which I only use for
work.

I then tried to uninstall it and start again, so I could report on what
I did, but the uninstallation didn't clean everything, somewhat
expected that the configuration was kept.

I tried hunting for configuration, under $HOME, deleted the install
directory, cleaned the registry, but couldn't get back to square one.

I could try it on another machine, but maybe you could tell us where you
get stuck.

-- HASM

On Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 1:25:13 PM UTC+2, Ion Saliu wrote:
> On Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 3:26:48 PM UTC+2, Ion Saliu wrote:
> > On Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 3:06:44 PM UTC+2, Mark wrote:
> > > On Monday, December 18, 2023 at 10:04:52 PM UTC, Real Mardin wrote:
> > > > On Friday, December 15, 2023 at 10:55:13 AM UTC, Werner Pichler wrote:
> > > > > On Friday, December 15, 2023 at 9:58:56 AM UTC+1, Blueshirt wrote:
> > > > > > Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Now at the top of the page when one opens Google Groups:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Effective February 15, 2024, Google Groups will no longer support
> > > > > > > new Usenet content. Posting and subscribing will be disallowed, and
> > > > > > > new content from Usenet peers will not appear. Viewing and
> > > > > > > searching of historical data will still be supported as it is done
> > > > > > > today."
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > :-(
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Why the sad face? Download a newsreader and sign up to a free nntp
> > > > > > service - I recommend www.eternal-september.org - and you can have a
> > > > > > proper Usenet experience...
> > > > > >
> > > > > > It's time for happy faces!!!
> > > > > Well I guess with no web-based client available anymore the chances, already slim, that somebody
> > > > > new will discover this - or any - newsgroup by chance are virtually nil. The decline has been inexorable
> > > > > regardless, but this will hasten it. And despite all its shortcomings, using Google Groups was comfortable,
> > > > > especially with the same account on various devices. I for one will no longer be able to access Usenet
> > > > > on my work computer without it.
> > > > >
> > > > > Also, after February Google won't add any new messages to the archives anymore, and there's no
> > > > > replacement for that, is there?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Ciao,
> > > > > Werner
> > > > All valid points.
> > > >
> > > > I wonder has the time come to revisit the idea of transferring rss to a web based forum? Or at least utilising a more visible platform such as twitter / X or Facebook to promote rss and attract new members?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > RM
> > > I'm in favour of a web based forum.
> > >
> > > Btw since that message appeared at the top in Google groups, I'm having problems scrolling right down to the bottom of the page for some bizarre reason. Are other people having that problem? And has anyone got any idea why, or what can be done to solve the problem? Even finding where to click "Post message" can be difficult!
> > M’ritser:
> >
> > Axiomático, it happens to everybody in the GG interface — most of the time, that is. There is a trick to bypass the problem: the TAB key. The key might appear as a double-arrow on some keyboards. The TAB key is located leftmost, 3rd row, on the US-based keyboard.
> >
> > Go to the last (most recent) message. Click on the first line.
> > • Press the TAB key repeatedly, until you reach the end of the page. You’ll see also quite a bit of blank space!
> > • If you don’t see the ‘Reply’ button, press simultaneously Shift+TAB.
> >
> > Btw — If you are “in favour of a web-based forum/newsgroup”, I suggest you create your own. See my previous post. Then, make an announcement right here. I’ll join your group.
> M’ritser:
>
> Axiomático, I just came across this shortcut. It makes the process a whole lot easier.
>
> CLICK ‘DISMISS’ IN GOOGLE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE.
>
"Too bad, Google Groups will end soon. It was a great community, characterized by CONVENIENCE. May Almighty Number bless their hearts and souls and blood-pressure numbers!

• https://saliu.com/almighty_number.html
• Almighty Number, Randomness, Universe, God, Order, History, Repetition, Certainty (or lack there of)."

More than convenience, Google Groups also provides DISCOVERABILITY. The link I posted in my previous messages led to a less popular webpage. After my message, I noticed a significant increase in ‘Page views’.

There ought to be a reward for Usenet posting. Why not? It is only fair. Why post to only fall into the drain of oblivion?!

”I received a phone call
From one who claimed was tall.
Then, he cursed me even worse
For my gambling on the horse.”

Ion “Axiomatic Parpaluck” Saliu
Founder of Philosophical Science of Sport
• https://software.saliu.com/live-sports-streams.html

HASM wrote:

> mark> I've still got nowhere with thunderbird/eternal september. Shall I
> mark> give up and uninstall thunderbird and just use nova BBS?

> blueshirt> Although Thunderbird should be fairly straightforward to use.

> I've never actually used Thunderbird for news (or mail), I went from
> some of the *rn family of text/curses readers to Emacs/Gnus long long
> ago.

> To check it out I've installed Thunderbird and got it connected to
> eternal-september without much problems (except that I had a very large
> number of unread articles!) This was on MS Windows, which I only use for
> work.

> I then tried to uninstall it and start again, so I could report on what
> I did, but the uninstallation didn't clean everything, somewhat
> expected that the configuration was kept.

> I tried hunting for configuration, under $HOME, deleted the install
> directory, cleaned the registry, but couldn't get back to square one.

> I could try it on another machine, but maybe you could tell us where you
> get stuck.

> -- HASM

I've just opened thunderbird. On the left, I've got news.eternal-september.org and rec.sport.soccer listed from when I tried to set up newsgroups. I've just tried double-clicking on news.eternal-september.org and nothing happened. I'll try double-clicking on rec.sport.soccer; no, nothing happens then either. I just tried clicking on manage newsgroup subscriptions, it's saying "Show items that contain:" and "select the newsgroups to subscribe to:". I don't know what to type in. Do I just ignore "Show items that contain:" and type rec.sport.soccer where it says "select the newsgroups to subscribe to:"? That's about all I can think of trying.

> I've just opened thunderbird. On the left, I've got
> news.eternal-september.org and rec.sport.soccer listed from when I tried
> to set up newsgroups. I've just tried double-clicking on
> news.eternal-september.org and nothing happened. I'll try
> double-clicking on rec.sport.soccer; no, nothing happens then either. I
> just tried clicking on manage newsgroup subscriptions, it's saying "Show
> items that contain:" and "select the newsgroups to subscribe to:". I
> don't know what to type in. Do I just ignore "Show items that contain:"
> and type rec.sport.soccer where it says "select the newsgroups to
> subscribe to:"? That's about all I can think of trying.

Just tried it again, my old/saved setup didn't work probably because of
my undoing.

I deleted the old newsgroup account, created a new one, didn't use TLS
so I can monitor the transactions with wireshark, (i.e. connection
security is None), enabled "check for new messages at startup", and
"Always request authentication when connecting to this server", lowered
to 100 the "Ask me before downloading more than xx messages", didn't
touch the "Check for new messages every XX seconds" (as I don't plan on
using this.)

After creation I clicked on "Manage newsgroup subscriptions", a dialog
came up where I entered my ES credentials, AND selected the box that
said something like "Keep this password in the Password Manager".

Filtered for rec.sport.soccer, subscribed. When selecting it the server
told me there were thousads of messages, 100 selected and a box to mark
all old ones are read.

Got the last 100 messages, select yours and I'm replying from within
Thuderbird. Hopefully it will make it.

Not sure I understand the interface, seems a bit awkward to just page
through the new messages, but someone may chime in here.

-- HASM

HASM> Got the last 100 messages, select yours and I'm replying from within
HASM> Thuderbird. Hopefully it will make it.

And back on Emacs/Gnus, I can see this message.

-- HASM

HASM wrote:
>
> Got the last 100 messages, select yours and I'm replying from
> within Thuderbird. Hopefully it will make it.

It did!

On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 3:16:07 PM UTC, HASM wrote:
> > I've just opened thunderbird. On the left, I've got
> > news.eternal-september.org and rec.sport.soccer listed from when I tried
> > to set up newsgroups. I've just tried double-clicking on
> > news.eternal-september.org and nothing happened. I'll try
> > double-clicking on rec.sport.soccer; no, nothing happens then either. I
> > just tried clicking on manage newsgroup subscriptions, it's saying "Show
> > items that contain:" and "select the newsgroups to subscribe to:". I
> > don't know what to type in. Do I just ignore "Show items that contain:"
> > and type rec.sport.soccer where it says "select the newsgroups to
> > subscribe to:"? That's about all I can think of trying.
> Just tried it again, my old/saved setup didn't work probably because of
> my undoing.
>
> I deleted the old newsgroup account, created a new one, didn't use TLS
> so I can monitor the transactions with wireshark, (i.e. connection
> security is None), enabled "check for new messages at startup", and
> "Always request authentication when connecting to this server", lowered
> to 100 the "Ask me before downloading more than xx messages", didn't
> touch the "Check for new messages every XX seconds" (as I don't plan on
> using this.)
>
> After creation I clicked on "Manage newsgroup subscriptions", a dialog
> came up where I entered my ES credentials, AND selected the box that
> said something like "Keep this password in the Password Manager".
>
> Filtered for rec.sport.soccer, subscribed. When selecting it the server
> told me there were thousads of messages, 100 selected and a box to mark
> all old ones are read.
>
> Got the last 100 messages, select yours and I'm replying from within
> Thuderbird. Hopefully it will make it.
>
> Not sure I understand the interface, seems a bit awkward to just page
> through the new messages, but someone may chime in here.
>
> -- HASM

I've just uninstalled thunderbird, so I can start again from scratch and try what you've described. Tried to re-install it; and I'm now stuck on a page that says "Just one more step!Finish installing, and start enjoying Thunderbird." But it doesn't say what the 1 more step is!

> But it doesn't say what the 1 more step is!

That "step" is Thunderbird opening a web page asking for a donation.

Install should be done, run Thunderbird from the icon or start menu.

-- HASM