OVERVIEW | SUBSCRIBING | POSTING | TERMS AND CONDITIONS
G.C.M.F. (Newsreader) Setup.
OVERVIEW :
If anything here is unclear to you, and/or you would like to see a graphical representation of the key steps, then take a look at this flow chart.
Q1. What is the gmane.comp.misc.freeware newsgroup/web forum ?.
It is a newsgroup/web forum that discusses freeware. Currently restricting subscriptions while in "beta" testing.
Q2. But my I.S.P. doesn't carry newsgroups.
It doesn't need to. One only needs a newsreader, something like Thunderbird, to subscribe to and read/post to the newsgroup. Like competing products Thunderbird enables people email AND newsgroup access. One can also use a web browser, such as Firefox, and post via our forum at http://aspects.org.au/forum/ , or use a web forum reader.
Q3. Is it a usenet newsgroup ?
No, it is a mailing list archive, but one reads/posts messages to it using a newsreader and/or by going to the web forum. It is similar to usenet newsgroups, and other privately run newsgroups. Such as have previously been hosted by people like Mozilla and Microsoft. There is however one important difference. One needs to be "authorised" to post before posting.
Q4. Why create these forums ?
To help reduce the number of "spam", "flames", and "off topic", posts that are often found in freeware discussion elsewhere.,
Q5. But couldn't people join and then spam etc. ?
Certainly, but if people do that then they can be blocked from future posting.
Q6. Can I subscribe to the newsgroup but not post anything ?
Yes.
Q7. So how do I subscribe ?
Two steps. The same way that one subscribes to usenet. Subscribe to the news server, then suscribe to the newsgroup.
Q8. How do I do that ?
(i) Add a new "news server" in your newsreader. In Thunderbird for example one would go Tools - Account settings - Add account - Newsgroup account. Address is news.gmane.org.
(ii) Once you have done that, and downloaded your newsgroups list, search for, then subscribe to, gmane.comp.misc.freeware .
Q9. What happens now ? What if I like the newsgroup and want to post myself ?
One needs to be authorised to post to the newsgroup. Here are the steps required :
POSTING :
Please read everything on this page before following any of the steps.
Q9 (i) Go to http://aspects.org.au/mailman/listinfo/freewarelist_aspects.org.au and subscribe. Though this is an emailing list subscription you will not be receiving emails. It is purely a method to restrict access to the newsgroup.
[At some time in the future newsgroup posts may be mirrored to an active mailing list. Also, posts are archived. So you may want to use an emailing address that, if seen publicly, wouldn't matter. Some people may want to setup a special email address for this.]
If you don't want to use your private email address, and you don't have a spare one to use, then you can create an email address for Gmane by going to somewhere like Google, or following the instructions for Yahoo here. Or contact me for further options.
Anti-Spam :
To help avoid spammers, newsgroup posts address' are currently encrypted.
Q9 (ii) Your subscription is approved or denied. Depending on what time of the day it is (in Australia) this can take from minutes to hours. If approved you then get a "confirmation" email saying that you are a member.
N.B. If you subscribed with an email address, that is different than the one that you normally use we suggest that you test it first. Send an email to yourself at the "new" email address and then make sure that it arrives okay. Also, don't forget to look in this "other" email mailbox for your "confirmation" email 9 (ii) and your "authorisation" email 9 (iv).
Q9 (iii) Post to the newsgroup using your subscription info. In other words if you subscribe with a me@home account then don't post from a me@work account.
Your "newsgroups" line should say gmane.comp.misc.freeware .
Gmane doesn't know that you did (i) so..
Q9 (iv) You get an email titled "gmane.comp.misc.freeware: Authorization required" asking you to "reply" in order to post to the list.
If you don't think you got it then don't forget the note above. Look in your "other" mailbox.
Q9 (v) Reply to this email "as is". You don't need to add/subtract/alter anything in the email. Just hit your "Reply to" button and then "send". You only need do this once per account. Once done, subsequent newsgroup posts from the same account will not trigger this authorization email again.
Q9 (vi) You then receive a new email titled.
"Subject: Re: Authorization required to post to gmane.comp.misc.freeware " which says...
You are now authorized to post to the gmane.comp.misc.freeware newsgroup.
The original message you sent to the newsgroup will be posted within ten minutes.
Q9 (vii) Wait ten minutes. Check the newsgroup to see your news post. :-)
Q10. Why provide forum access as well as a newsgroup ?
(A) Some people prefer a web forum for freeware discussion.
(B) Some people prefer a newsgroup for freeware discussion.
(B) Some people like to have both for freeware discussion.
All three are now available. IMO that is better than only offering people one option.
Q11. Why would anyone want both ?
A number of reasons. For example, some people are allowed internet access before, or after, work. Or during their lunch break. If they aren't allowed to install a newsreader then they may like to post via a web browser, then use their own newsreader when they get home.
Also, being able to read/post via a browser is handy if visiting an internet cafe and/or when at someone else's place.
Q12. What changes need be made to the instructions above if one wants to post via the forum only, or in addition to the newsgroup ?
Apart from 9 (i) one would need to become a web forum subscriber. One does that by contacting me. If one is only talking about the former one could skip 8(i) and 8(ii) and 9 (iii) would be replaced by a web post
Q13. Are there any "rules" ?
Yes, the TERMS AND CONDITIONS :
It is a condition of your subscription that you..
Keep "on-topic".
Not make personal attacks on others.
Not spam.
Not say/do things that could encourage conflicts/flame wars etc,.
To facilitate the first item crossposting is not allowed, as crossposting of long threads often results in posts that are "off topic" in one/more of the newsgroups posted to.
Also, as some/all of the posters in the "other" newsgroup(s) may not be authorised to post to this newsgroup one would probably end up with missing posts due to the un-authorised postings not being accepted.
Q14. What if I don't want to comply with these rules ?
Then don't bother with this newsgroup. It clearly isn't for you. If one chooses to ignore what is said above then the administrator can make every post you make a "moderated" post, or simply deny you access without notice.
TROUBLESHOOTING :
Q15. I cannot find gmane.comp.misc.freeware in my newsgroups list.
Please make sure that you didn't overlook doing 8 (1).
Q16. My I.S.P. has blocked port 119.Can I use a different one ?
Yes, if you make a new account (see 8 (1)) with the address snews.gmane.org and choose the "Use secure connection (SSL)" option in your newsreader. If the port number doesn't "default" to port 563 then you will need to add that as well.
Until I have time to do a "How to" there is one for Thunderbird here.
Q17. I haven't received any confirmation email from the list and/or posting authorisation request email from Gmane. What should I do ?
(A) Please make sure that you didn't overlook the N.B. note at 9 (ii).
(B) Also, some people have a "Challenge - Response" system setup so that they don't receive emails unless the poster has gone to a web page and done something.
As the Gmane notice is automated that won't be done. You may need to look in your/your ISPs "spam" or "non verified emails" folder to find their email.
(C) Make sure that you have looked in your own "spam", and/or "trash" folders, on your own computer . You may have a filter that moved them there, or to the wrong folder. Some emailers have a "filter report" that tells you which folders email goes into. Check them all !
(D) Double check the sending address in your newsreader. Is it exactly the same as you subscribed with (9 (i)) ? One person with an account like fred.smith@myisp.com wondered why he got no return emails. He had put his address as fredsmith@myisp.com in his newsreader.
(E) If you have done (A) to (D) and still not had success then the problem may be with your newsreader and/or with getting emails back to the address that you used. Try a different newsreader.
If that doesn't work use an email address that goes to a different domain eg. if fred@myisp.com doesn't work then try fred@gmail.com or fred@yahoo.com
If (A) to (E) doesn't work then contact me .
Q18. I followed the steps above, replied to both emails, and made a post. I did as per 9 (vii) and waited. My post hasn't shown up.
Occasionally there may be more than a 10 minute delay. On rare occasions the delay may be hours. This is usually due to maintenance being done on the Gmane server. If you have waited for hours and you still cannot see your post then either wait a bit longer, or contact me.
John Fitzsimons 30/1/2011.