OVERVIEW | READING/POSTING USING A NEWSREADER | READING/POSTING USING A WEB BROWSER | READING/POSTING USING A WEB FORUM READER | CONCLUSIONS/NEXT STEP
G.C.M.F. Reading/Posting Methods.
OVERVIEW :
Make sure that you have finished reading our general "Setup" page, before following your hyperlink choice at the bottom of this page.
Before one decides to read, and/or post to, the gmane.comp.misc.freeware newsgroup/web forum one needs to decide which way they would like to do that. There are three options ;
(1) Using a newsgroup reader (newsreader), such as Outlook Express, or Thunderbird.
(2) Using a web browser such as Internet Explorer, or Firefox.
(3) Using a web forum reader such as the program "Web Forum Reader".
To help you to decide which method best suites you, here is some information on all three :
Reading/posting using a newsreader.
Advantages :
Once downloaded, one can read messages without needing to be connected to the internet. This is a very major advantage if one pays for their internet connection by time.
Once downloaded, one can continue to read messages. Even if the server is temporarily unavailable.
One can also archive messages. A big help if one wants to keep messages, and the server goes offline permanently.
It is very easy to filter out posts, by posters one isn't interested in hearing from.
It is very easy to filter out posts, on topics that don't interest us.
Navigation is often very quick/easy.
Disadvantage :
Installation of a newsreader is required. Potentially a problem if one is not at one's own computer.
(The above disadvantage can be overcome by installing a portable version of one's newsreader (if available) on removeable media, such as a flash drive. Portable Thunderbird help can be found here.)
Reading/posting using a Web Browser.
Advantages :
No need to install any software. Handy if one isn't at their own computer.
Disadvantages :
If one pays for their internet by time, then reading forums may increase costs.
One usually cannot filter out posts by certain posters.
One usually cannot filter out posts on certain topics.
Navigation can be difficult/slow.
Reading/posting using a Web Forum Reader.
Advantages :
This method can be easier/faster than using a web browser.
Disadvantages :
One needs to install the web forum reader program.
Messages aren't kept on one's computer so they need to be downloaded multiple times until read.
One cannot archive posts.
One generally cannot filter out posts by certain people.
One generally cannot filter out posts on certain topics.
Conclusions/Next step :
Clearly, reading/posting to G.C.M.F. via a newsreader is the best approach if one does most/all of their reading of messages on their own computer.
One may decide to use more than the one approach eg. use a newsreader at home, and a web browser elsewhere.
Once one decides which method they prefer to start with, further setup instructions can be found by clicking the following newsreader, or web browser or web forum reader, links.
John Fitzsimons 30/1/2011.