Newsreader

A software program is required for the downloading, reading, and posting of "articles" (messages, posts) to newsgroups. However, this is not a problem.

Many email clients include a news client (a newsreader) in their software. Newsreader capability is also built into some mail browsers such as Netscape Navigator. Newsreaders are also available on the Internet (free) and are easy to install.;

Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operate news servers for their users. You will need to know your "news server address." This information will be in the manual that came with your ISP service. If not, conact your ISP.

If your ISP does not offer a news server, your can access Google Groups, which allows reading and posting on newsgroups over the World Wide Web. There are other such "web front ends" on the Internet that offer similar access. Use Google Groups or other web front end to access the alt.free.newsservers newsgroup, which has information about open news servers.

Also, there are Usenet providers that specialize in offering service to users whose ISPs do not carry news or that carry a restricted feed.

It should be noted that some newsreader integrated clients, such as Microsoft's Outlook Express, are of very low quality.

See Newsgroups

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