Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

On this computer I am on a dial-up account and I don't know how to stop
downloading these silly postings as I have to pay for the time it takes
to download them.
--
Judith Lea

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"Judith Lea" wrote in message
...
On this computer I am on a dial-up account and I don't know how to stop
downloading these silly postings as I have to pay for the time it takes
to download them.

I don't think there is very much you can do. Even if your newsreader can be
set up to filter them out, based on some criteria in the headers, it still
has to read the headers to do its job. You might like to look into getting a
broadband connection, or a monthly-billed dial-up line. They're quite cheap
now. Even a fast broadband connection usually works out less costly than
PAYG dial-up.

You might save some time online if you make sure your newsreader is set up
to download headers only, then only download the threads you're interested
in. That means staying online while you scan the headers, though.

Using Google means you have to stay online too.

The best I can say is keep reporting the problem to the ISPs the messages
come from (not necessarily always rcn.com although the last batch were).
Apparently a low number of scumbags are attempting to destroy the uk
hierarchy. Gardeners, by definition, have a great deal more patience than
those scumbags. Keeping plugging away.

--
Crazy Dog

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"Judith Lea" wrote in message
...

On this computer I am on a dial-up account and I don't know how to stop
downloading these silly postings as I have to pay for the time it takes
to download them.
--
Judith Lea

I stand to be corrected, but I though that in the UK, most people
on dial-up are on unlimited tariffs by now.

The fact that you're not, would presumably impact on your
overall Internet usage and costs, far more than the flooding
of one particular NewsGroup.


michael adams

....

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

On 28/2/06 10:37, in article , "Crazy Dog"
wrote:

snip
Apparently a low number of scumbags are attempting to destroy the uk
hierarchy. Gardeners, by definition, have a great deal more patience than
those scumbags. Keeping plugging away.

I agree that not letting these idiots 'win' is a good plan but WHY are they
trying to destroy the uk hierarchy? I mean, what a pitiful life someone
must be leading to think this is somehow 'fun' or 'creative' in any way.
It's really rather sad, even while they're a nuisance. It's like watching a
3 year old throw a fruitless tantrum.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
)

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

In article , Judith Lea
writes

On this computer I am on a dial-up account and I don't know how to stop
downloading these silly postings as I have to pay for the time it takes
to download them.

Good news and bad news really.

You're using Turnpike [TP], which is the good news...but you're still
using the slightly antiquated version 5? Any particular reason why you
haven't upgraded to version 6? I would highly recommend it - albeit the
comfort changeover takes a little bit of time, due to the rewrite into
an Explorer shell. [Don't worry, though, it's still a standalone piece
of software. Once you've been using it for a few weeks you'll never look
back. Apart from with distant affection :)]

It could be possible to use this rule [a custom rule to be applied
within the kill rules of the specific NG] in V5:

/^X\-Complaints\-To: /h

....where the above works on the headers. You still have to download all
the headers, but it's *much* quicker. *And* you'll have to adapt the
above when the next potential batch comes. Look for a common theme
within the header. When you see each batch arriving - that's very easy
to spot thanks to Connect's collection window. You can halt the
collection, sample a header and insert the rule for the reconnection.
Easy. And considerably less irritating on snail-up.

Aside from changing news server [NIN filters them out quite quickly and
efficiently, apparently], then this is your only option.

HTH. :)

--
Flower Bobdew
South Facing Garden
South West: UK

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"Sacha" wrote in message
id...
On 28/2/06 10:37, in article , "Crazy
Dog"
wrote:

snip
Apparently a low number of scumbags are attempting to destroy the uk
hierarchy. Gardeners, by definition, have a great deal more patience
than
those scumbags. Keeping plugging away.

I agree that not letting these idiots 'win' is a good plan but WHY are
they
trying to destroy the uk hierarchy? I mean, what a pitiful life someone
must be leading to think this is somehow 'fun' or 'creative' in any way.
It's really rather sad, even while they're a nuisance. It's like watching
a
3 year old throw a fruitless tantrum.

An earlier thread had a link to a web site that gave an insight into their
activity. If it is to be believed their activity:

- relieves boredom for schoolkids on holiday,

- provides an outlet for angry, sad, disillusioned people. Many are retired,
sad and lonely old far*s filling their time with what they see as a 'hobby'.
Many are failures in their real lives. They see destruction of web sites and
newsgroups as a great challange and an equally great achievement.

- is sometimes just online graffiti,

- some of these people (if not all) have a mental illness,

All very sad but, just like avoiding the nutters on the streets, we just
have to avoid them and take action against them when they become a genuine
nuisance.

--
Crazy Dog
(The 'Crazy' in my nym has nothing to do with the state of /my/ mental
health ... :) )

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"Flower Bobdew" wrote in message
...

It could be possible to use this rule [a custom rule to be applied
within the kill rules of the specific NG] in V5:

/^X\-Complaints\-To: /h

Wouldn't this rule kill /all/ messages with the complaints
line, including valid ones?

Each time a new similar rule is added for a different batch of junk arriving
via a different ISP, more and more valid messages will be ignored until the
user of the rules begins to wonder if he or she is now the only user of the
newsgroup.

I think there were other possibilities (a line or two in the headers that
read '0wned' where the O is actually the number 0)? Perhaps these would be
better candidates for the rules?

--
Crazy Dog
(Generally hates rules. Often breaks them)

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"Crazy Dog" wrote in message
...

challange = challenge

--
Crazy Dog
(Sometimes finds spelling a challange)

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"Crazy Dog" wrote in message
...

"Sacha" wrote in message
id...
On 28/2/06 10:37, in article , "Crazy
Dog"
wrote:

snip
Apparently a low number of scumbags are attempting to destroy the uk
hierarchy. Gardeners, by definition, have a great deal more patience
than
those scumbags. Keeping plugging away.

I agree that not letting these idiots 'win' is a good plan but WHY are
they
trying to destroy the uk hierarchy? I mean, what a pitiful life someone
must be leading to think this is somehow 'fun' or 'creative' in any way.
It's really rather sad, even while they're a nuisance. It's like
watching
a
3 year old throw a fruitless tantrum.

An earlier thread had a link to a web site that gave an insight into their
activity. If it is to be believed their activity:

- relieves boredom for schoolkids on holiday,

- provides an outlet for angry, sad, disillusioned people. Many are
retired,
sad and lonely old far*s filling their time with what they see as a
'hobby'.
Many are failures in their real lives. They see destruction of web sites
and
newsgroups as a great challange and an equally great achievement.

- is sometimes just online graffiti,

- some of these people (if not all) have a mental illness,

All very sad but, just like avoiding the nutters on the streets, we just
have to avoid them and take action against them when they become a genuine
nuisance.

--
Crazy Dog
(The 'Crazy' in my nym has nothing to do with the state of /my/ mental
health ... :) )



They missed one.

Trolls like being talked about on NewsGroups, and having websites
specifically devoted to their activities. The more lists the
better etc. etc.

It's all self-fulfilling in other words.


michael adams

...

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"michael adams" wrote in message
...

They missed one.

Trolls like being talked about on NewsGroups, and having websites
specifically devoted to their activities. The more lists the
better etc. etc.

It's all self-fulfilling in other words.

Nope. I missed that one. I'm not sure if was on the web site, or not, but
I'd be surprised if it wasn't.

My understanding is that those trolls see the whole thing as a competetive
game and even award themselves points for their successes. No doubt causing
a newsgroup to fail would attract a lot of points.

--
Crazy Dog
(Really can't see the point)

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"Crazy Dog" wrote in message
...

"michael adams" wrote in message
...

They missed one.

Trolls like being talked about on NewsGroups, and having websites
specifically devoted to their activities. The more lists the
better etc. etc.

It's all self-fulfilling in other words.

Nope. I missed that one. I'm not sure if was on the web site, or not, but
I'd be surprised if it wasn't.

My understanding is that those trolls see the whole thing as a competetive
game and even award themselves points for their successes. No doubt
causing
a newsgroup to fail would attract a lot of points.

As soon as the regulars on a NewsGroup start spending more time
discussing trolls, and the problems trolls cause, then the trolls
will see that as a victory, regardless.

Although private emailing is regarded by some as anathema to the
whole concept of an open public forum as represented by UsenNet,
I think private emails between consenting regulars are maybe
the best way of maintaining group solidarity - if that's what's
actually needed, which I personally doubt in this instance.
As with many other "hobbies" NewsGroups, IMO there are always
enough enquiries from inquisitive newbies in search or advice or
information - and unaware of the existence of trolls, to keep
the NewsGroup in (legitimate) business and maintain
a reasonably high proportion of on topic-posts.

michael adams

....




--
Crazy Dog
(Really can't see the point)

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"Flower Bobdew" wrote in message
...
In article , Judith Lea
writes

On this computer I am on a dial-up account and I don't know how to stop
downloading these silly postings as I have to pay for the time it takes
to download them.

Good news and bad news really.

You're using Turnpike [TP], which is the good news...but you're still
using the slightly antiquated version 5? Any particular reason why you
haven't upgraded to version 6? I would highly recommend it - albeit the
comfort changeover takes a little bit of time, due to the rewrite into an
Explorer shell. [Don't worry, though, it's still a standalone piece of
software. Once you've been using it for a few weeks you'll never look
back. Apart from with distant affection :)]

It could be possible to use this rule [a custom rule to be applied within
the kill rules of the specific NG] in V5:

/^X\-Complaints\-To: /h

The problem is that complaints to get rejected.

I have sent 6 so far, and for each one I get a reject message.

Alan

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

"Flower Bobdew" wrote in message
...
In article , Judith Lea
writes

On this computer I am on a dial-up account and I don't know how to stop
downloading these silly postings as I have to pay for the time it takes
to download them.

Good news and bad news really.

You're using Turnpike [TP], which is the good news...but you're still
using the slightly antiquated version 5? Any particular reason why you
haven't upgraded to version 6? I would highly recommend it - albeit the
comfort changeover takes a little bit of time, due to the rewrite into an
Explorer shell. [Don't worry, though, it's still a standalone piece of
software. Once you've been using it for a few weeks you'll never look
back. Apart from with distant affection :)]

It could be possible to use this rule [a custom rule to be applied within
the kill rules of the specific NG] in V5:

/^X\-Complaints\-To: /h

The problem is that complaints to get rejected.

I have sent 6 so far, and for each one I get a reject message.

Alan

Try

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

Judith Lea wrote:
On this computer I am on a dial-up account and I don't know how to stop
downloading these silly postings as I have to pay for the time it takes
to download them.

Depending on your service provider you could set up the filters at that
end, so it's stripped out before it gets to you. The filters are
usually more extensive too!



Richard.

--
"Usenet is like a herd of performing elephants with diarrhea --
massive, difficult to redirect, awe-inspiring, entertaining, and a
source of mind-boggling amounts of excrement when you least expect
it." Gene Spafford (1992)

Advice on how to stop downloading nonsense please
 

On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 10:16:48 +0000, Judith Lea wrote:

On this computer I am on a dial-up account and I don't know how to stop
downloading these silly postings as I have to pay for the time it takes
to download them.

Have a look here for this newsreader. It's free. It indicates how many
lines there are in the content via the header (which is a good clue). It
can prevent cross-posters and one can add 'plonk' rules.

It takes some getting used to, but you might find it worthwhile.

http://www.40tude.com/dialog/