Have you considered using PAN? It is a dedicated newsreader and
handles binary files very well. I think you might find it much more
suitable for interfacing with the Usenet. It is easily installable
via the add applications menu.

NERD: never heard of it, but i'll give it a whirl.
i suppose i should have gone to the add/remove and just typed in USENET
heh. thanks!

Thunderbird and Evolution and cannot get them to
access the server or download the lists. I have tried 7.04 and 7.10 all
up to date Yet I use the same settings/server on similar progs on XP
and they work fine. Some setting is blocking access. I have even tried
opening port 119 on the router and that made no difference. Any
suggestions would be welcome.

I log on to the Usenet with both XP and with Ubuntu 7.10 - Gutsy
Gibbon. I am a complete dunce at Linux, but Pan is working great for
me.

If you connect to the Web, I would suspect that the username and
password and/or the server name would bear close scrutiny. I use
Usenetserver and it is very unforgiving if I don't have the logon
script just right.

I use Thunderbird and the account setting are no different to those on
XP or Vista. Can you go to your ISP online and get mail?