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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.vnews-l
Date:         Fri, 21 Aug 1992 06:06:55 -0700
From:         John Howells <howells@PIONEER.ARC.NASA.GOV>
Subject:      Re: problems with Vnews 141
X-To:         VNEWS Discussion List <VNEWS-L@UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu>
              <PSKREYMER@MERLIN.NLU.EDU> "problems with Vnews 141" (Aug 20,
              11:56pm)

>
> 1) When customing SITE_SPECIFIC.DEF, the logical name INTERNET_HOST_NAME
> (I assume) is being automatically set by my home machine's Multinet
> software.  At least when VNEWS runs, it knows what my Internet address
> is and lists it.
> For safety sake, I put the following line in the LOGIN.COM file:
>
> 	DEFINE NNTP_HOST_NAME "MERLIN.NLU.EDU"
> 					^-- this being my home address
> Question:  This is what I would put here, right, and not the location
>            of the news server I wish to access????
>

That is correct.

> 2) I received the VNEWS software from ARIZONA.EDU's FTP site.  I have
> read the .DOCS several times and have configured it to my host machine's
> specs. - at least I think I have.  (I don't do much programming on the
> Vax, so I am a greenhorn with some of this stuff!)
>
>    I am assuming the ARIZONA news server is still running, as it is
> still defined in the SITE_SPECIFIC.DEF file.
>

Not necessarily. Arizona.edu may very well be functioning as a news
server, but it only serves those hosts authorized to access it. One of
the problems with starting up VNEWS for most people is try to figure out
who to go about accessing a local news server. If you have a network
manager nearby, you should ask that person for info. However, since I
know you'd like to start reading news right away, I'll give you a news
server you can use (but please don't mention that I gave you this
name!). Use "sol.ctr.columbia.edu" - either put it in SITE_SPECIFIC.DAT
or define it as logical name NNTP_SERVER. This site will allow anyone to
read and post news.

>
> 3) In regards to the file XX.NEWSRC, I know this is created when I join
> a newsgroup.  But, since I am not a member of any groups, I don't have
> this file - no file of any kind.  Will this cause an error?  Just curious.
>

Didn't get created because you never connected to a news server. It will
get created once you're able to connect to sol.ctr.columbia.edu.

> 4) Is there any way to locate a working server so I can finally get access
> to the USEnet newsgroups?
>

Unfortunately, I don't know of any. Your best bet is to talk to a local
network administrator.

>
> 6) Again, just guessing, since the VNEWS software starts and attempts to
> connect to the defined server in SITE_SPECIFIC.DEF, does this mean that
> I have things set up right and I just need a working server address for
> everything to be ok?
>

That's absolutely correct. Good luck!

--
                                        John Howells
                                        howells@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov
                                        howells@earth.arc.nasa.gov

 When you make as many speeches and you talk as much as I do and you get away
 from the text, it's always a possibility to get a few words tangled here and
 there
       -- Vice President Dan Quayle defending himself
          (LA Herald Examiner 10/3/88)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.vnews-l