If you have never set up your Internet Explorer/Outlook Express newsreader for the BellSouth Newsgroup Service or you do not have NEWSGROUPS.BELLSOUTH.NET set as a current news server, please follow the steps in Section 1.
Section 1 Initial setup of Internet Explorer Newsreader
Step 1 Open Microsoft Internet Explorer and click on the TOOLS menu. Select MAIL AND NEWS, then select READ NEWS. This will open Microsoft Outlook Express.
Step 2 In OUTLOOK EXPRESS, click on the TOOLS menu, then select ACCOUNTS.
Step 3 On the NEWS tab select ADD, then NEWS...
Step 4 Type in YOUR NAME as you wish it to appear in newsgroups. Click on NEXT.
Step 5 Type in your BELLSOUTH Username followed by @bellsouth.net. Click on NEXT.
Step 6 Type in newsgroups.bellsouth.net in the NEWS SERVER (NNTP) field. Check the MY NEWS SERVER REQUIRES ME TO LOG ON box. Click on NEXT.
Step 7 Type in your BELLSOUTH USERNAME followed by @bellsouth.net. Type in your BELLSOUTH PASSWORD. Important Note: You must enter your primary BellSouth internet access password. Your internet access password may be different from your Email access password. Changing your email password does not change your primary internet access password (or vice versa). Check REMEMBER PASSWORD. Click on NEXT.
Step 8 Click on FINISH.
Step 9 To subscribe to specific newsgroups, select the TOOLS menu, then NEWSGROUPS...
Step 10 Select the news server from the ACCOUNT(s) list on the left. Then, select the newsgroup you wish to view from the NEWSGROUP list in the center. Click on SUBSCRIBE, then OK. Subscribed newsgroups will now be listed in Outlook Express.
You are finished configuring your newsreader and can select and download new newsgroup messages.
Step 11 To read your subscribed newsgroups simply click the group under folders.
If you have never set up a Netscape newsreader for the BellSouth Newsgroup Service or you do not have NEWSGROUPS.BELLSOUTH.NET as a current news server, follow the steps outlined below.
Initial Setup of Netscape Newsreader
Step 1 Click on the COMMUNICATOR menu and select NEWSGROUPS. This will open Netscape Messenger.
Step 2 Right click on NEWS and select SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSGROUPS.
Step 3 Click on ADD SERVER.
Step 4 Select NEWS SERVER (NNTP). Click CONTINUE.
Step 5 Type "newsgroups.bellsouth.net" in the SERVER field. Select ALWAYS USE NAME AND PASSWORD. Click on OK.
Step 6 Type in your BELLSOUTH USERNAME followed by @bellsouth.net. Click on OK.
Step 7 Type in your BELLSOUTH PASSWORD. Important Note: You must enter your primary BellSouth internet access password. Your internet access password may be different from your Email access password. Changing your email password does not change your primary internet access password (or vice versa). Click on OK.
Step 8 After the newsgroup list has downloaded, scroll down and SELECT any newsgroup(s) you wish to subscribe. Click on SUBSCRIBE.
Step 9 The newsgroup(s) that you selected are now available. SELECT the desired newsgroup and click on GET MESSAGES on the main toolbar to receive new messages.
Step 10 This screen details how many new messages are posted. You are finished with the setup and ready to download.
There are a variety of newsreaders available and creating specific FAQs for each setup is impossible. Below is some basic information about the news service.
Newsgroup Server Name newsgroups.bellsouth.net
Username BellSouth Username followed by @bellsouth.net.
Password Primary BellSouth internet access password. Your internet access password may be different from your Email access password. Changing your email password does not change your primary internet access password (or vice versa).
Maximum Sessions Four
IP Access You must be on a BellSouth IP to reach the BellSouth Newsgroups. This may change at any time with the merger, but no plans have been publicized.
Resetting Newsgroups with Internet Explorer Newsreader
Step 1 Open Microsoft Internet Explorer and click on the TOOLS menu. Select MAIL AND NEWS, then select READ NEWS. This will open Microsoft Outlook Express.
Step 2 Locate the newsgroups.bellsouth.net server and expand the newsgroups available. Right click on the desired newsgroup then select PROPERTIES.
Step 3 Click on the LOCAL FILE tab and select Reset. Confirm that you want to delet the current messages, then click OK. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for every newsgroup that needs to be reset.
Step 4 To download messages simply double click on the desired newsgroup.
The Netscape newsreader does not have a simple reset capability for newsgroups. You must unsubscribe and resubscribe to the newsgroup to reset all messages. To reset your newsgroups please follow the steps outlined below. Due to differences in Netscape software versions, actual screens shots and procedures may vary slightly.
Resetting Newsgroups with Netscape Newsreader
Step 1 Click on the COMMUNICATOR menu and select NEWSGROUPS. This will open Netscape Messenger.
Step 2 Important Note: Before you delete any newsgroup write done the name of all newsgroups you wish to resubscribe. Right click on newsgroup you want to delete and select UNSUBSCRIBE.
Step 3 Click OK to confirm delete.
Step 4 Right click on newsgroups.bellsouth.net and select SUBSCRIBE.
Step 5 After the newsgroup list has downloaded, scroll down and SELECT the desired newsgroup(s). Check the SUBSCRIBE button and click OK.
Step 6 The newsgroup(s) that you subscribed to are now available. Double click on the desired newsgroup to download messages.