What is a Bluetooth module...?

Hi,
I'm trying to download a file from a certain website, and in order to do so, I need to download the software, that will allow me to access their file database.
As they don't have the aforementioned software for Macs, I have to use OSXnews, so that I could read the software with my computer. I downloaded the OSXnews, but when I try to run it, I was informed by my computer, that, in order to open the downloaded OSXnews, I need a Bluetooth module.
Could somebody advise me, what the Bluetooth module is? Is it a hardware, or something else, and how should I obtain it?
Thanks.

Aleksandar

IMac G5, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Dec 18, 2009 9:13 PM

Reply
6 replies

Dec 19, 2009 12:01 AM in response to Tatartatartatartatartatar

Could you be more clear on the software, what it supposedly does,
and how you expect to use it; then maybe some sense of what the
real issue is, may be more apparent.

A BlueTooth module is usually a hardware component that provides
a wireless product to work with the computer; or in some cases, the
bluetooth may be an accessory or peripheral, or a wireless headphone
or other product (such as cellphones can use.)

If the computer (is this computer related?) has hardware support to
use BlueTooth products and connections, then whatever it is you are
trying to download and use, may work.

There are component BlueTooth wireless modules with a USB plug
on them to add this BT to computers that did not have it built-in.
Some of these modules may require drivers, but usually Mac OS
X has drivers built into the system to support several products.

My iBook G4 has built-in BlueTooth wireless, in addition to 802.11/g
wireless for internet; so it can use a wireless keyboard or other BT
components and link to other products wirelessly. My iMac G4 does
not have a BlueTooth wireless module built-in; it was a factory option.

So, if you could explain what ever it is, you are doing, that may need
to have a BlueTooth module (sometimes called a "dongle"...) maybe
the pieces of what you are trying to do may fit.

Oh, some newer BlueTooth products may not work with the OS X 10.3
system if they are newer; since Panther is rather dated now. If the item
says it can work with Panther 10.3.9 and later, then it should be ok.

Whatever it is.
+Can you provide a link to the site with information about the product+
+you are looking into, or whatever the software is supposed to do?+
This is really rather odd.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Dec 20, 2009 7:04 PM in response to Tatartatartatartatartatar

Hi Shaffer,
nice to be with you again.
Well, the site in question's usenet.nl. It is a site for downloading files, and in order to start downloading, first, you got to download their software, that will be enable the users to use the site at all. It just a page, where all the info about any download is displayed. As they don't have this downloading software for Macs, I was told to download first the newsreader (this is the type of the software, and it works kind of like the internet browser, as it allows the Mac users, to read this, aforementioned downloading software, that's only for PC computers). So, I found the newsreader online, called OSXnews, but when I tried to open it, and transfer the software to applications folder, my computer informed me, that in order to open the file, I will need, this Bluetooth module, and the application that tried to open it, is the Bluetooth file exchange. I know that Bluetooth is being used for wireless connections, as you have also mentioned, for a keyboard or mouse, but I didn't know, that it is also used with the file exchange application. I got two iMac G5s, but the one that has the Bluetooth installed is currently being repaired, and I'm only guessing, that I would be able to use the other machine to open that file, I'm not able to do now, with this other Mac.
I think I covered everything, but if you need any more information, just drop me a line.
Thanks.

Aleksandar

Dec 21, 2009 12:13 AM in response to Tatartatartatartatartatar

The site is a news-reader information site?

The name of the software, after doing some looking, appears to be
a bit dated (on the page I found others, newer, also listed) so maybe
there is a better software that does not need some bluetooth device?

There are other items here, outside of OSXNews:
http://www.pure-mac.com/usenet.html#osxnews

The item you may be encountering is some software for use with a
PDA or a data cellphone; so it could connect with another product.

You may do better by looking for a newer or more Mac-friendly software
and most I've seen appear to be shareware. A few are free. - Is there a
way to use another different news feed service to get whatever it is you
are trying to get through the method that is giving you this trouble?

The software being shareware-limited or free, and then there is a service
charge for some duration; and/or some sparse feature set after a demo
duration, for those with options to enroll or pay to use a UseNet service.

There are a few listings (hard to read the chart) with links, here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparisonof_Usenetnewsreaders

About UseNet (history, definition, recent, etc)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet

If the issue is the usenet, then you may need to reconsider the use of
that one (with netherland link) and see what else there is for Mac OS X.
Something newer and better written, and not asking for bluetooth...!

Amazing how much junk shows up in a google of usenet OS X, etc.

Even some browsers allow for access to news readers and info groups;
but not as thorough as some indicate is possible with dedicated software.
Mozilla Thunderbird has some reader capability.

Full-auto newsreader: http://www.sabnzbd.org/

Since the item your inquiry was about brings up other issues and possible
alternatives, those new directions may be ones to explore further.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Dec 21, 2009 8:03 PM in response to K Shaffer

Hi,
I went through that page, and I couldn't find any other newsreader, that I could use. Either it is not for what I'm about to do, or it is a "need to pay to use" version.
Do you have any idea, what might be this Bluetooth module? All I know, is that it is related to file exchange, i.e. Bluetooth file exchange.
Thanks.

Aleksandar

Dec 21, 2009 11:30 PM in response to Tatartatartatartatartatar

If a news reader is expected to load (up or down) a feed to/from another
source or device to share it or read it remotely, then the BlueTooth device
may well just be a PDA, an iPhone, iPod Touch, or other product that can
handle the newsreader's feed. {Input to a client from a portable device, if
adding content to the news reader feed, may mean a bluetooth device
could be required in the absence of other products...}

So, there is a possibility this reference is to a second item outside of the
computer that could load the newsfeed from the computer & use it there.

Could it be you have a product better intended for use with a bluetooth
enabled peripheral or portable device? This is a question for any support
the software company may be able to provide. If there is a downloadable
manual or other instructions or help forums dedicated to their software
then, that may be the more likely place to ask such a question.

Depending on what kind of newsfeed service (and content you seek) there
are more than two compatible with Mac OS X. Of those for Windows, the
Palm and other devices may be supported, so they'd be bluetooth modules.

A computer enabled with built-in bluetooth support could share or link to
another that may not have a connection to the reader's data flow otherwise.

And beyond this vague and general posturing, outside of what I have read,
I am unfamiliar with this, personally. You may have to look through the other
Apple Discussion forum topic titles to see if a different one may be more
suitable for a refined inquiry about how to use these news readers with the
kind of product(s) you have and want to use them through.

You do not need a bluetooth product to use the paid services, for the most
part. They can be used through a browser or email client. See Mozilla's
Thunderbird, among others; and read the related topics on their web page.

And the singular link in my above post, is for a cross-platform newsreader.
That is a new one. It may not be supported by Panther 10.3.9, so that is
a limitation on your hardware - if you find their software needs 10.5 & later.

Is this something you could use, if not for running Panther 10.3.9?
A cross-platform full-auto newsreader: http://www.sabnzbd.org/
(These usually require a monthly in order to get full content + shareware.)

This item itself is freeware: MT-NewsWatcher 3.5.2 (of those who are free,
their content feed may have a cost to subscribe in order to get it reliably.)
MT-NewsWatcher home: http://www.smfr.org/mtnw/ - see downloads page.

Best wishes & regards...
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Dec 22, 2009 6:37 PM in response to Tatartatartatartatartatar

Hi Shaffer,
thanks a lot, for all those comprehensive replies.
However, I'm not certain, that I could manage to understand all the tips you suggested, as my computer knowledge is not of such a wide scope.
Anyway, thanks again for everything, I will continue searching, and try to broaden my comprehension pertaining all this...

Aleksandar

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What is a Bluetooth module...?

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