XanaNews - Introduction

*get the most current version of XanaNews (2017-08-22):
 https://github.com/graemeg/xananews/releases/tag/v1.21

https://github.com/graemeg/xananews/releases/download/v1.21/xananews_32bit_v1.21.zip

*note: the XanaNews 1.21 "Help" contents feature may appear blank, if so,
 in the "XanaNews" folder, right-click "XanaNews.chm", select "Properties"
 and next to "Security: This file came from another computer and might be
 blocked to help protect the computer", check "Unblock", click "Apply/OK"

XanaNews > Help > Contents > Introduction > Welcome to XanaNews

Welcome to XanaNews
XanaNews is a free, powerful, fully featured newsreader for Windows 98,
Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Here's what XanaNews will do for you:
*Support for Multiple News (NNTP) Servers.
*Multiple threaded engine. Supports three threads per news server so you
can simultaneously download group lists, message headers and messages for
multiple servers.
*Threaded multicolumn tree message display. Display messages in thread or
chronological order. Sort threads or messages by date, size, author or
subject.
*Displays NNTP and MIME images inline, building them up as they arrive.
*Save images and other binary attachments.
*Powerful message deleting feature. Delete messages that don't match your
criteria.
*Threads that contain messages to you are displayed highlighted.
Intelligent resume/cancel button. When it's red you can cancel the selected
operation. When it's green you can resume after network failures, and when
it's grey you can't click it!
*Batch mode. Define batches of message retrieval operations. A single batch
can work across multiple newsgroups - even on multiple servers!
*Both images and other binary attachments can be saved.
*Powerful configurable message filters can be created for individual
newsgroups, or all newsgroups on a server.
*Decode UUE, Base64 and yEncoded messages.
*SSL Support
*Supports posting multiple attachments
*Integrates with ISpell spell checker.
XanaNews was written by Colin Wilson. Get the latest version of XanaNews
from Colin Wilson's Delphi Website
http://www.wilsonc.demon.co.uk/delphi.htm

(https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.wilsonc.demon.co.uk/delphi.htm)
(https://web.archive.org/web/20080315081009fw_/http://www.wilsonc.demon.co.uk/xananews.htm)

XanaNews > Help > Contents > Introduction > Getting Started

Getting Started
When you first run XanaNews the New User Setup wizard will be displayed:
1. Type in your name and E-Mail address and click 'Next'.
2. The next screen asks for the Server Account Name and the Server Name.
The Server Account Name should be a friendly name that describes the
server. The 'Server Name' should be the Internet name of the server that
you will connect to. Contact your ISP for details. Press the 'Next' button.
3. Some servers require a user name and password before they can be accessed.
The next screen allows you to enter these. Most news servers provided by
ISPs don't require these details. If in doubt leave the screen alone, and
press the 'Next' button again.
4. The final New User Setup wizard screen allows you to specify a dialup
connection to use when connecting to this server. If your computer is always
connected to the Internet, leave this screen alone, otherwise select a
dialup connection from the list provided, then press 'Next'
Press OK to finish the New User Setup wizard. XanaNews will automatically
connect to the Internet and download the list of newsgroups available on the
server. When this download finished you will be presented with the list of
newsgroups.
That's it! You now ready to start using XanaNews. For details see the help
on using the workspace.

XanaNews > Help > Contents > Introduction > Online Support for XanaNews

Online Support for XanaNews
1. XanaNews on the World Wide Web
You can always download the latest version of XanaNews, help file updates,
etc. at http://www.wilsonc.demon.co.uk/delphi.htm
2. Dedicated XanaNews Support newsgroups.
  The main XanaNews newsgroups are available on the free forums.talkto.net
  server. To access the newsgroups from XanaNews, add a new account by
  selecting 'Add New Account...' from the Account menu. Set the account's
  name to 'XanaNews Support Groups' and set the server account name to
  'forums.talkto.net.'
3. Additional support newsgroups on Usenet
  XanaNews is often discussed in several Usenet newsgroup, including
  alt.usenet.offline-reader.xananews and news.software.readers

XanaNews > Help > Contents > Introduction > Newsgroups, USENET and Privacy

Newsgroups, USENET and Privacy
Here's a short article on the basics of Newsgroups. You can find much more
information on the world wide web. For instance at
http://www.usenet.org.uk/usenet-information.html
People are often confused by newsgroups. Who owns them? Who can read them?
Who can post to them? And what on earth is USENET??
And what about Privacy? If I read a message will anyone know? If I post a
message will I be identifiable?
1. What are Newsgroups?
  Newsgroups are places on the Internet where people can post messages about
  particular topics that interest them. Anyone who has access to the
  newsgroup can read the message, and anyone can post a reply. The reply can
  be seen by anyone else, who can post a reply, and so on. XanaNews allows
  you to read these messages and post replies; both to the main USENET
  newsgroups and also to other Private newsgroups.
  Because anyone can read and reply to any message, they're not really like
  e-mail. And because the messages remain on the server for days or even
  weeks, they are not 'Instant' like chat rooms, either.
2. What is USENET?
  USENET is a vast group of newsgroup servers from all over the world which
  share messages between each other. If you post a message in a newsgroup on
  one server, anyone else that has access to USENET will be able to see your
  message, and post a reply. And your reply will get shared so that it can
  be seen by anyone else.
  Thousands of Internet Service Providers, and commercial newsgroup hosting
  services share in this USENET group. So its really not 'owned' by anyone.
3. What are Private Newsgroups?
  By contrast, Private newsgroups exist on private newsgroup servers and do
  not participate in USENET. Many technical companies provide private
  newsgroups to their customers, so that they can discuss their products
  among themselves and with representatives from the company who choose to
  join in.
  The main XanaNews support newsgroups are held on the private
  forums.talkto.net server, and it is provided free to XanaNews users.
  Microsoft host a large private news server at msnews.microsoft.com where
  Microsoft products can be discussed.
4. What about Privacy? Can people tell which groups I read?
  Broadly speaking, no one can tell. However, your countries' law
  enforcement agencies may be able to find out by examining your computer,
  or by asking your ISP for details of messages you download.
5. Can people tell which groups I post to?
  Of course - that's the whole point. Your message is there for all to see.
  *Messages you post contain your e-mail address. XanaNews allows you to
   type in what you like for your e-mail address, so some people disguise
   theirs in various ways - mostly to avoid spammers who often trawl USENET
   for valid e-mail addresses.
  *Many news servers automatically attach a special header to each of your
   messages containing the IP address of the computer you posted from. This
   'nntp-posting-host' header can be used to identify which ISP you use, and
   could allow hackers to connect to your computer if it has not been
   updated with Microsoft security patches.

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