anyone know of an NNTP server that can run on OS X?

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Level 2

221 points

anyone know of an NNTP server that can run on OS X?

I need to be able to post to USENET newsgroups; is there any decent NNTP server that can be run on an Apple Tiger Server?

Mike

G5, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Feb 15, 2006 4:16 AM

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Answer 1

Camelot

Level 9

58,527 points

Feb 15, 2006 11:30 AM in response to Michael Levin

Do you want a server or a client?

You ask for a server, but say that you want to post to newsgroups, which any NNTP client can do.

A NNTP server keeps a replica of the newsgroup feed from an upstream news server and are typically only used by large organizations or those that want to host their own newsgroups.

I'm not saying that's not what you need, just trying to make sure you don't go through the hassle of setting up a full NNTP server when a simple NNTP client will do what you need.

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Answer 2

Michael Levin Author

Level 2

221 points

Feb 15, 2006 1:19 PM in response to Camelot

Do you want a server or a client?
You ask for a server, but say that you want to post
to newsgroups, which any NNTP client can do.

I thought I understood, but maybe I'm confused. I know a client can post; but doesn't a client need a valid NNTP server to be able to post? My problem is that when I'm at work (which is where I would like to be able to post from), I cannot use my normal cablemodem (Comcast) USENET service, since they check for incoming IP and won't allow me to post unless I'm actually at home. Maybe what I should be asking for is the address of a free service that allows posts, but I thought I'd avoid it and run my own server which wouldn't download any (or many) actual groups, but would allow me to post when I needed to. Have I confused myself somehow?

Thanks!

Mike

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Answer 3

Camelot

Level 9

58,527 points

Feb 16, 2006 11:31 AM in response to Michael Levin

OK, I understand the problem now - you're getting blocked by Comcast's access controls since you're not on their network.

Installing your own server is one option, but probably not on your own machine since it's IP address will change and may find it hard to get an upstream server to talk to you when you're moving around.

If you want to try it, you can find a list of Mac NNTP servers at http://www.newsreaders.com/mac/servers.html

There are two other options I can think of that might also work. One is working out the NNTP server for your office's network connection - maybe from the ISP that the office connects to, and using that while you're in the office. The second is setting up a server at home and using a SSH tunnel to get to it from the office - that way you're 'bouncing' your NNTP traffic through the home system and Comcast won't reject it.

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Answer 4

Michael Levin Author

Level 2

221 points

Feb 16, 2006 11:47 AM in response to Camelot

Installing your own server is one option, but
probably not on your own machine since it's IP
address will change and may find it hard to get an
upstream server to talk to you when you're moving
around.

my office server has a static IP address and it won't move.

If you want to try it, you can find a list of Mac
NNTP servers at
http://www.newsreaders.com/mac/servers.html

cool - thanks, I'll take a look.

There are two other options I can think of that might
also work. One is working out the NNTP server for
your office's network connection - maybe from the ISP
that the office connects to, and using that while
you're in the office.

I'll check with them but I don't think they have an NNTP server.

The second is setting up a
server at home and using a SSH tunnel to get to it
from the office - that way you're 'bouncing' your
NNTP traffic through the home system and Comcast
won't reject it.

won't that have the problem you mentioned above? My home computer definitely has a dynamic address handed out by Comcast which does change all the time, so I'd have to use a separate service to be able to find it. Seems like my office machine is the place for the server; is there a good one for OS X?

Mike

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