Loyola University Chicago

Usenet Services

Usenet is a system by which to accomplish a group discussion where individuals can participate from anyplace in the world. Unfortunately, this definition maybe so overly simplified as to be incorrect. For a more comprehensive description take a look at the description of Usenet from news.answers.

Usage Policy

• Loyola Policy
• Randori Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy (Loyola's News server provider)
• DIGEX Acceptable Use Policy (Loyola's Internet connection provider)
• Usenet2 rules (net.* hierarchy)
• Usenet Netiquette

News Reader Software

• Netscape v6 and Netscape Communicator has news reader functionality.
• MS Outlook Express, an optional part of the Internet Explorer suite also has news reader functionality
• Xnews is a free reader for Windows which has been awareded the Good Net-Keeping Seal of Approval.
• Yet Another News Watcher is a free reader for MacOS that has also been awarded the Good Net-Keeping Seal of Approval.
• The Tin news reader is available on the Orion system.
• Yanoff and MsgAgent are free news readers for the Palm Pilot, Handspring Visor, Handera and Sony Clie hand helds

News reader configuration

• Server address/name: news.luc.edu
• Username/Password: *none* Leave this field empty. Loyola's Usenet server requires no authentication, so if your reader has an authentication switch, don't enable it.
• If your reader has a field to modify the TCP port number, leave it set to the default of 119.
• If your reader has a check box for "secure" or SSL based acces, do not check it. The Loyola Usenet server does not presently support the SSL protocol.

Support

If you experiencing problems (unable to post articles, slow response/no response, etc) then providing the following information will assist in getting the problem diagnosed faster:

• The date and time the problem occured.
• The name and version of the news reader you were using. (tin, netscape, etc.)
• The names of the group(s) you were attempting to access/post.
• Can you recreate the problem?
  • If you quit and restart your news reader, does the problem continue?
  • If you reboot your computer, does the problem continue?
  • Please be sure to provide details on how to recreate the problem.
• If the problem only occurs when trying to read certain articles but not others then please list some of the articles that are effected.

If you are experiencing problems posting an article keep in mind that new articles do not appear immediately, they are placed in the Usenet server's queue of articles to add to the database. Wait around 10 minutes for the article to appear. Also, many readers "cache" article lists. This may cause a new article not to appear even after the Usenet server has already added it. Try the following:

• Look for a "Get new articles/messages" or "Refresh/Reload group" option in the reader.
• Try leaving the group for another group and then coming back.
• Try completely exiting the news reader and starting it again.

Related Information

Internet Frequently Asked Questions Archive Check here before posting a question to a Usenet group. Posting a question already answered in an FAQ is frowned upon and will decrease your chances of engaging others in discussion on subsequent posts.

NewsReaders.com news reader software and general info

DejaNews is a web searchable archive of Usenet articles.

The Birth of Usenet is a must read for those having trouble getting to sleep at night.