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 "Getting Started With Thoth and Mac OS X, Part 1"
10/01/2001
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I tend to get attached to certain programs over time, often to the point were I stick with
an application beyond the time when it is clear to move on. This week I faced the
inevitable: it was time for me to say goodbye to my old newsreader.
I have been reluctant to switch from MT-NewsWatcher because it was comfortable. I was
especially fond of my OneClick macros. The macros allowed me to work exactly the way that
works best for me. However, with the recent appearance of Mac OS X 10.1, I'm propelled by
changes in the operating system and the realization that while I like MT, it appears
unlikely an updated version will arrive anytime soon, if ever. MT-NewsWatcher works
perfectly in the Mac OS X Classic environment, so there is not an immediate need to
migrate to use Mac OS X, but Classic programs do not benefit from Mac OS X's improvements,
either.
Because I wanted a newsreader that would work natively under Mac OS X, I had a choice of
two: Thoth and NewsWatcher-X. I chose Thoth. Brian Clark, who also developed the
outstanding YA-NewsWatcher, has been regularly updating Thoth, which makes it the most
current and actively developed Mac OS X newsreader. In addition, Thoth runs great under
Mac OS 9.
Thoth is not especially difficult to set up, especially if you have previously used
another variant of the many NewsWatcher incarnations. But for users unfamiliar with
newsreaders, it can be a daunting challenge, mainly because preferences are spread across
several different dialogs. The best way to simplify the task is to concentrate on a small
subset of the preferences and settings needed to establish a connection. Here is how to
get started:
To find the latest release of Thoth, visit the versiontracker.com Web site and search on
the word "Thoth." Download and install the application. The first time you launch
Thoth, it will create a set of application preferences in the preferences folder. In addition, it
will create a set of server specific settings in a folder named after the news server's
name. Begin the initial setup in the "Preferences" panel, which is under the application
menu (Mac OS X) or the Edit menu (Mac OS 9.)
The majority of preference settings can be left at their default values, but you need to
set your email address under the "Message Options" topic. It is also helpful to set up a
default folder for your downloaded binary files and saved messages. Those settings are
located under "Extracting Binaries" and "Saved Articles," respectively. That should take
care of the preferences 'global' to the application. Now it is time to set up a specific
server. For this example, I'll use NewsGuy's server settings.
Selecting the New News Server item from the file menu presents you with another panel that
looks like another set of preferences, which is exactly what it is. While Thoth has
preferences for itself, it also needs to know about the Usenet news server. Once the new
server window is open, enter "enews.newsguy.com" in the box titled "News Server:" Next,
use the popup menu to select "Authentication" and enter your username and password, and
choose the authenticate when connecting to news server radio button.
The last step is to create a subscription list, or group. In the server settings window,
use the pop-up menu once again and select "Group Lists." Click the "Add New" button and
type in the name of your first list. Since it is your list, it can have any name you
please. Once you close the settings dialog, a new Group List window will appear. After the
Rebuild Full Group is complete (If the rebuild does not happen automatically, it can be
invoked by the item under the "Special" menu.)
That's it. Thoth is now set up to read news messages. Select a group in the Full Newsgroup
List window and drag it into the Group List window, double-click on the group, and it will
fetch a message list. In part 2 of this series, I'll cover what to do once the basic setup
is complete. In the meantime, I'll see you on the groups listed below.
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- by Robert DeLaurentis
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newsguy.writers.macinsight |
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alt.sys.mac.newuser-help |
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