Rec.games.pinball Access Methods

Originally posted on RGP by Kerry Imming (this article modified slightly from the original post)...

I would like to move the news reader debate from preference/opinion to a fact-based comparison. If this develops into a useful comparison I suggest we post it into a PinWiki article. I've started a comparison list. Please feel free to correct and expand my list, but try to keep it fact-based.

Background: I use(d) mainly Google Groups for access. My ISP-provided NNTP server is only available from their network (and I have concerns that it will be removed). I recently signed up for the free text-only http://eternal-september.org server. I have only accessed the newsgroup directly via Outlook Express and Thunderbird. I also signed up for http://www.rgparchive.com so I could understand it better.

Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball is a Usenet newsgroup. History of the group can be found in the FAQ at http://www.mrpinball.com. See wikipedia for information on Usenet and NNTP servers. Newsgroups predate modern web browsers. If I recall correctly, the dejanews web site that provided newsgroup access was purchased by Google. Other web options have evolved, but it should be understood that they only provide a portal to post and view the newsgroup posts, a shadow copy if you will. The NNTP server system itself is highly redundant and very robust, as is the core of the internet.

Access Options:

1. News server and client news reader - This is the traditional way to access newsgroups.

• Advantages:
  • Reliable - you can subscribe to multiple NNTP servers
  • Free servers (http://www.eternal-september.org) and client software available
  • Paid (i.e. supported) servers are available

• Disadvantages:
  • Need client software (e.g. Thunderbird or SeaMonkey)
  • Sorting of unread threads is not as convenient as Google Groups
  • Flagging interesting threads is limited

2. Google Groups - News posts are ported into the Google Group interface structure

• Advantages:
  • Web based, can be accessed from any computer
  • Read/Unread status is maintained on the server, so current from wherever you access
  • "Favorites" flagging allows easy tracking of threads you're interested in
  • SPAM and Troll posts are flagged by community and hidden
  • Search capability within group
  • Adding "in rec.games.pinball" to a standard Google search will take you directly to the thread

• Disadvantages:
  • Google outages with their Usenet feed (a fairly regular occurrence)
  • Typically more lag before posts show up than when using a dedicated Newsreader

3. http://www.rgparchive.com - A privately maintained portal courtesy of RGP contributor "Nacman"

• Advantages:
  • Web based, can be accessed from any computer
  • Topics can be subscribed to
  • Search capability within group

• Disadvantages:
  • Single server
  • Taken offline during thunderstorms at server site
  • Forum-based, display of threads is not as convenient as either Google Groups or a dedicated Newsreader