This is a list of the Frequently Asked Questions we seem to answer in email.

Q - What technical information do you have about Usenet?
A - The most technical information we could give you are called RFC's. This stands for Request For Comments.

• RFC 850 This RFC has been superceded by RFC 1036
• RFC 977 Network News Transfer Protocol
• RFC 1036 Standard for Interchange of USENET Messages
• RFC 2980Common NNTP Extensions

Q - When I start Agent (which sucks) and get headers it says retrieving 45000 headers, but when it's done it only shows the group have 645?
A - Agent combines the various parts of the messages into one file to make it easier for you.

Q - When I start Outlook Express it says retrieving 45000 headers and shows all 45000. Does that mean Agent isn't showing everyhting?
A - Outlook Express shows you each part of a file. So one file may have 25 parts. Agent combines these parts and shows you one. With Agent you do not need to combine and decode, it's done for you already.

Q - My Agent folder is HUGE! It's got 3 gigs of .dat files in there. What's happening and how can I fix it?
A - What's happening is that Agent saves the articles from each group in a database. It also saves any binary files you have downloaded in it's database unless you tell it not to. A quick way to correct this is to click on File and then Compact Databases. The smr-usenet.com Agent tutorial shows you how to set up Agent so it will not save these files.

Q - Where can I find a list of every newsgroup that exists?
A - You make take a look at ftp://ftp.isc.org/pub/usenet/CONFIG/newsgroups or you can download a list here.

Q - How can I find out who started a newsgroup?
A - You may find Control Messages at ftp://ftp.isc.org/pub/usenet/control/

Q - Why do I see people posting on the bottom of the message when it's so much easier to post on the top?
A - When you post on the bottom of the message you will allow any other users reading your reply to read the question first, then your answer. If you posted on top the user would read the answer first, then the question. Bottom posting is considered polite netiquette.

Q - What is a nym? kook? netkop? troll?
A - These are all usenet based terms. A nym is someone's nick or alias. A kook is exactly that, someone who's kooky (better known as messed up in the head). A netkop is someone who thinks it is their job to patrol usenet and report anyone who they seem to think is abusing, usually they are FAQ thumpers (they scream that the FAQ for a NG is being broken and fire off emails to abuse departments). A troll has a few definitions. Someone who posts off topic posts in order to start a massive thread, or someone who posts just because they can post (not that he/she has a true purpose). More definitions can be found here.

Q - Why don't you have posting tutorials on the site?
A - We do now! You can find The Complete Idiots Guide To Binary Usenet Posting on the Misc Software page.

Q - I've seen that you and a few other smr-usenet members are using custom software for posting that adds headers. Can I have a copy?
A - No

Q - What can you tell me about PAR files?
A - You can download mirror.exe, smartpar or fsraid and a PAR tutorial on the Misc Software page.

Q - Where can i find some premium US news servers?
A - You can find a list of premium usenet providers on our review pages.

Q - Where can i find some premium NON US (International) news servers?
A - You can find a list of non US usenet providers on our review pages.

Q - What are some good newsgroups to look in?
A - It all depends on what you're looking for really. I would suggest downloading the Newsgroup list and searching it for a topic of interest.