news.bbs-scene.org provides free read and write access to all text newsgroups, we do not carry any of the binary groups. All you need to get started is to register with our server. Registration can be done online. Please read the terms of use before you register.

news.bbs-scene.org does not publish any personal information about the user in posting headers that the user does not publish him or herself. In particular, the user's IP address is not visible to third parties.

news.bbs-scene.org carries the Big 8, alt.* (approx. 8000 groups, no binaries) and several regional hierarchies (more than 200). Retention is currently 180 days for the Big 8 and alt. groups and 90 days for other hierarchies.

news.bbs-scene.org is also the nntp home of SciNet, the active FTN message network. scinet.* groups are local only and are only gated back into the SciNet FTN.

For tests, information and support for users of news.bbs-scene.org the local hierarchy bbs-scene.* is open to unregistered users, too.

faq

I have registered but have yet to receive an email

bbs-scene.org does not accept registrations from disposable email systems such as hushmail and dropmail so please make sure you use a valid email address for registration. Also make sure that the registration email has not been trapped by a spam filter. The registration mail is sent immediately after registration.

I can only see the bbs-scene.* hierarchies

The bbs-scene.* hierarchies is open for reading and posting to users without registering. You have either forgotten to configure your client to use your username and password or your client isn't sending the data as it assumes they are not needed. In this case you need to force the client to send the authentication data.

Here is a list of some of the more popular clients and how to force authentication (Thanks to the guys at eternal-september for the list).

Mozilla Thunderbird

Tools -> Account Settings -> Server Settings
Always request authentication when connecting to this server

Seamonkey

Edit-> Mail- and Newsgroups Account Settings -> Server Settings ->
Tick the "Always request authentication when connecting to this server" check box

Forte Agent

In Options - General Preferences - User
check the "Server requires Authorization" Login checkbox and enter your user name and password below.

Slrn

add the following line to .slrnrc:
set force_authentication 1

Gnus

add the following line to .authinfo:
machine news.bbs-scene.org login xxxxxx force yes password xxxxxxxx

I have received notification that my account will be closed due to inactivity

If you don't use your account within 180 days it will be deleted. In order to keep the system from deleting your account all you have to do is log in once during the 180 day period to reset the counter.