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NewsWolf Frequently Asked Questions

When I open the program, nothing happens. It doesn't find any free news server, and doesn't even seem to try.

Using NewsWolf, I need some web pages/providers of/with news server lists. Pardon me, but: how/where to find them?

How can I know which of found servers are free and which are not?

Does "Blue Comp" icon on the left mean that news server is freely accessible?

Is there any way to check with NewsWolf whether news server contains specific group or not.

How can I let NewsWolf show really accessible servers in the beginning of the list?

What's meaning of "Try XHDR" check box?



Q: When I open the program, nothing happens. It doesn't find any free news server, and doesn't even seem to try.
A: NewsWolf supports 2 ways to search for free news servers. Here are brief instructions how to setup NewsWolf accordingly to which of these 2 ways you choose.

To search in newsgroups:
1. Define default news server for the program. This may be news server of your ISP, at example "news.yourprovider.net".
2. If you know in what newsgroup(s) you want NewsWolf to search for free news servers then jump to step 3. Otherwize download newsgroup list for default news server.
3. Define one or more newsgroups where to search. Newsgroups names may be taken from downloaded newsgroup list or you can enter them manually.
4. Make sure that active configuration set to "News".
5. Start "Retrieve new servers" task and wait for results.

To search on Web:
1. Define one or more links (URLs) to Web pages which are known to contain lists of public access news servers in Web browser (HTML) format.
2. Make sure that active configuration set to "Web".
3. Start "Retrieve new servers" task and wait for results.


Q: Using NewsWolf, I need some web pages/providers of/with news server lists. Pardon me, but: how/where to find them?
A: Just open your browser, go to your favorite WebSearch engine and search for "public access news servers list". I prefer Google.


Q: How can I know which of found servers are free and which are not?
A: There are 2 actual indicators of a server accessibility in "Found Servers" list.

1. Icon in "Server" column, before server name. If it's blue - this is valid news server and it accepts connections from your network. It still may require user/password login.

2. Letter and/or sign in most right column. Possible values are
"A" - doesn't require login, freely accessible.
"G" - required login is guest/guest, freely accessible.
"A+" - doesn't require login, contains desired groups, freely accessible.
"G+" - required login is guest/guest, contains desired groups, freely accessible.
"?" - accepts connections from your network, protected - requires login.


Q: Does "Blue Comp" icon on the left mean that news server is freely accessible?
A: No, it doesn't. See answer to previous question.


Q: Is there any way to check with NewsWolf whether news server contains specific group or not.
A: The answer is yes for NewsWolf v1.1a and higher. To define newsgroups to check: right click in "Found Servers" list, choose "Test Properties" from popup menu. Enter newsgroup(s) of your desire. The result will be displayed in most right column of "Found Servers" list. Presence of "+" sign indicates that given news server contains selected group(s).


Q: How can I let NewsWolf show really accessible servers in the beginning of the list?
A: You can sort right column in discending order (all "Found Servers" list columns are sortable). NewsWolf v1.2 only: choose "Re-Sort By Accessibility" menu item from popup menu.


Q: What's meaning of "Try XHDR" check box?
A: XHDR is NNTP command defined in RFC 2980. In NewsWolf's case XHDR command make a process of retrieving news servers from NNTP headers much more faster. The problem is that some older news server software doesn't fully support this command. You should leave "Try XHDR" check box enabled (default). Disable it only when NewsWolf is unable to retrieve news servers from a newsgroup article headers using your default news server.

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