A sincere thanks to those who respond and help

[CompleteNewb]

I apologize that this isn't a question, but for some reason I can't access a lot of the posts I make to this newsgroup via Outlook Express, and even though I post with Outlook, I often don't see the responses unless I look up my post using Google's newsgroup lookup.

SOOO, since I can't directly "respond to group" using Outlook, I just wanted to make a new post thanking you of alt.home.repair for responding to my posts and helping with your time, thoughts, and advice.

In the past, when I've had issues with the occasional computer, software, lawnmower, stapler, etc., I am the type to try and fix things myself before seeking help (even though I can't figure out why my Outlook isn't working for previous posts :>)). As a first-time homeowner, though, I'm much less likely to start tearing at walls and installing things without some input from others, so I expect to be posting here quite a bit. I just wanted to make sure everyone realizes that I am extremely thankful for the Internet, this newsgroup, and of course most of all to the people who make this group a place to come with questions and advice-seeking.

There's no need to respond, I just wanted to get my thanks out there.

...and that thing I said about posting a lot, that's serious. I WILL be on here quite a bit with this new purchase.

Thanks again, all.

The Complete Newb.

[Terry]

Try this:

Go here and download Agent 3.3 · Build 846

I am guessing your server will be news.comcast.net, but you can email comcast and ask for your Usenet server information.

It should also already be entered in Outlook.

[Norminn]

Well, shucks. As a first time homeowner you probably don't know what a piece of crap Outlook is. That is lesson number one. I use IE only because there is a plot afoot to rid the world of decent software and make more money for microsoft. Well, let me tell you, I use IE only when and where I must, and for fun I use Mozilla. Browse, email, news, all in one.

I don't do big, muscle jobs, although I have torn up my share of sod in the old days. Learned lots by doing stuff the wrong way first and then figuring out how I should have done it. My dad could not stand to lift a tool or fix anything, but my mom, until she was 82, had her own workshop. After she passed away, I found a neat little stack of newspaper clippings from the 1920's, when she was about 10-12, about how to make or build stuff. My mom built and installed her own kitchen cabinets and was a masterful miniature room builder. Tons of tiny tools to go with the big ones. Curiosity is the best trait to have ... "wonder how they do that?" Readers Digest used to have a good allaround fixing-stuff book for menial stuff like fixing faucets and runny toilets. Probably six volumes now :o) Some of us post just because our spouses won't listen to us, but there is lots of help here and an occasional smartass to keep your blood circulating. Enjoy!

[Bob F]

There are settings in OE to change the retention time. The default is not long. I see posts going back a few years in some groups.

Bob

[Meat Plow]

Many free readers with full functions.

[mm]

In Agent, the maximum is 99,999 days. That's over 200 years.

Although the old version I have may have a maximum file size that, since I dl all the headers AND bodies, limits me on this busy group to about 3 weeks. :)

[Stephen J. Rush]

news.comcast.net is what I use. I read with Pan under Mint Linux 3.0, but before I defenestrated I used Agent.

Anyone who thinks he's going to need new hardware because his present computer won't handle Vista should try a Linux live CD. It's free for download, and won't write anything to your hard drive unless you decide to install it. The newer distributions, like Mint and Ubuntu, make it easy to set up dual-booting if you're not ready to dump Windows entirely.

[HeyBub]

There's something unsettling about a bit of software whose name is vaguely French-sounding.

[mm]

Only because the French are monitoriing all my Usenet usage.

[Kurt Ullman]

Cool. I have only been able to come to the attention of the Elbonians. I am so jealous.

[mm]

Not on this group so much, but on other groups, I make occasional nasty remarks about France. It gets their interest. Try it.