How do I access this forum with a computer????

You want step by step instructions? Well, after buying your computer, call an ISP. Internet Service Provider. That's probably easiest in a metropolitan area. They'll know what to do.

In my case, that's Time Warner Cable. They came over and setup the cable modem. I already had the network card in my computer. They'll be happy to get you on the web. Then you can go to

and download a copy of freeagent (or Agent if you wanna pay, Agent gets you more features) and then make the appropriate entries for the newsserver. More than likely your ISP will have a page that explains exacly what to do to get your reader to work.

BTW, if you want a good email program, go to qualcomm and get a copy of eudora.

Just a heads up for you, Forte is no longer offering FreeAgent. It's pay-only now, but Mozilla Thunderbird will work as well, and is still free. The interface with Thunderbird and the new version of Agent seem to be fairly similar as well.

Assuming that when you get a computer, you're getting web access too? (comcast, Aohell, etc.) Their info package or web page will tell you who and where the news server is.. You can use either your browser (internet explorer, netscape, etc.) or a dedicated news reader program to read and follow the group(s)..

I'd recommend Agent or Free Agent for a start:

Mac

I have gone to the group through Newsgroups or just used Google Groups. Personally, I'm not into groups in a big way, in fact this is the only group I follow (and lurk 99% of the time). The rest are on Yahoo or other servers. If that's the case with you you may find Google Groups are easier. You just get on the Internet and go to

and you have it. Earl

Sorry, that should have been:

The first one was a link to this thread, not the group in general.

Earl

Wow, no more FreeAgent. Too bad. It's how I decided Agent was worth the money.

I used FreeAgent for years and decided that paying $30 was a good deal when I saw it had the spell checker and a few other perks..

Mac

Something you should be aware of is not all ISP will carry newgroups. If you are in that situation (like me) then you can use Google Groups or

Peter Visit my site at:

Then you can go to

Not to start a whizzing contest, but I can highly recommend PAN newsreader WAAAY over Forte. That, and it doesn't make much difference what operating system you are using ... Windows, Mac or *nix (including Linux, of course!)

I'm using it on WinXP-Home right now but first encountered it years ago on Linux.

Bill

No whizzing contest, dick comparison contest, fist fight, whatever. Use the program you like. Everyone should. Microsoft doesn't think that should happen, but what the hell. There's plenty to choose from out there.