🚀 go-pugleaf

Jacques Hankin wrote:
> 
> When at the boink, I would like to talk to anyone, *anyone* , who has
> found an ISP with local access in the whole of the UK, which has a
> news server which will connect first time during waking hours.
> 

At risk of ridicule...

Dircon (the Direct Connection to you) is now on 0345 numbers, giving 
local call *charge* access in the UK. Now, of course, the reason I use
Dircon is because they give me a UUCP feed, and because they give me a
UUCP feed and I run my own NNTPD here, I haven't a clue how good their
news server is; but my experience of Dircon's technical support is that
it is unfailingly excellent.

You could do a very great deal worse than talk to them. They're on
sales@dircon.co.uk. 

-- 
------- simon@rheged.dircon.co.uk (Simon Brooke)

			-- mens vacua in medio vacuo --

In Article <4drn05$7pt@newsgate.dircon.co.uk> Nigel Reed writes:
>Only ever had one or two, at the most, problems getting onto News...a
>second retry always worked.

I'm interested ... do they provide a full news feed?

>Also, using POP3, you can get your mail anytime, anywhere - or choose
>SMTP if you would rather.

I'm even more interested.  If you take up the SMTP option, do you
get a domain to yourself (like with Demon)?

Steve.

uk.singles ?!?

[Followups set to demon.service only!]

In <822155329.10899@thecroft.demon.co.uk> jacques@thecroft.demon.co.uk (Jacques Hankin) writes:

>When at the boink, I would like to talk to anyone, *anyone* , who has
>found an ISP with local access in the whole of the UK, which has a
>news server which will connect first time during waking hours.

There's one called ``Demon''. `pubnews.demon.co.uk' seems to answer first
time during the day. 
-- 
			  michael@unixsoft.demon.co.uk

jacques@thecroft.demon.co.uk (Jacques Hankin) wrote:

>When at the boink, I would like to talk to anyone, *anyone* , who has
>found an ISP with local access in the whole of the UK, which has a
>news server which will connect first time during waking hours.

>(And by that I mean 08.00 am to 23.00)

>Actually , even non-local access would be preferable to the time
>wasting and time shifting going on now.

>Alternately, e-mail me.

>Regards,

>Jacques

Having the same thoughts.  Try getting a copy of .Net magazine, in the
back is a list of ISPs in the UK with a bit (very little actually) of
info on each including phone numbers and email address.

Regards - Gordon
gordon@gnorris.demon.co.uk

Our fathers fought against tyranny in the world.
Now it is our turn to Fight, 
but this time the battle is closer to home.
FIGHT CENSORSHIP

On Mon, 22 Jan 1996 20:20:37 GMT, nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk (Nigel
Barker) commented:
>
>I wouldn't be too sure about that. The header of the posting from the
>gentleman at dircon:-
>
>From: nigel@nelgin.dircon.co.uk (Nigel Reed)
>Reply-To: nigel@nelgin.dircon.co.uk
>NNTP-Posting-Host: nelgin.dircon.co.uk
>
>Also I always thought that you needed static addresses to do SMTP.

I thought we had ascertained that it was a Bad Thing to email as
well as post a response.

Nick.

-- 
Nick Sellors, Derby, England. nicks@wipak.demon.co.uk
"We are the music makers, We are the dreamers of dreams,
We are the movers and shakers, Of the world forever, it seems"
Arthur O'Shaunhessy

Nick Sellors (nicks@wipak.demon.co.uk) wrote:

: >I'm sure there's lots of other providers who'd love you business who
: >care about the service they provide.

: Disingenuous balls.

You mean like googlies and chinamen? 

(NB Ralph - this remark, which you are not expected to understand, is not
racist.)

Chris

Richard Ashton <richard@corixia.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>Look fuckwit. Please explain why the magazine Internet, who have
>started the only provider tests puplically available, do NOT include
>Dircon.

>They test I-Way, Pipex, Intonet, Netkonect, Easynet, Poptel, Demon,
>Frontier Internet, Bogomip, Cityscape, Internet Central, Wintermute,
>U-net, and Nethead.

>They obviously do not consider Dircon worth testing, so I would
>suggest that any disaffected Demon user get a copy of the January
>1996 issue from WHSmith and ignore the fuckwit preaching *untested*
>*unsubstantiated* "truths" about some irrelevant provider.
>PS I will forward any slanderous comments about the magazine to EMAP
>Computing

Thank you for your input and colourful character descriptions. 

Just two questions then:
1) Do you infer from your comments that Demon is the best we can find
anywhere?

2) Did Internet magazine *say* that they did not consider Dircon worth
testing and that it is an irrelevent provider : or is this an
*unsubstatiated* "truth" on your part?

PS I will forward any slanderous comments about Dircon to them.


Regards,

Jacques

On Mon, 22 Jan 1996 10:26:25 GMT, nicks@wipak.demon.co.uk (Nick
Sellors) wrote:

>On Sat, 20 Jan 1996 23:46:44 +0000, Steve Smith
><steves@a4000.demon.co.uk> commented:
>
>>In Article <4drn05$7pt@newsgate.dircon.co.uk> Nigel Reed writes:
>>>Only ever had one or two, at the most, problems getting onto News...a
>>>second retry always worked.
>>
>>I'm interested ... do they provide a full news feed?
>
>No. Only Demon do.
>
>>
>>>Also, using POP3, you can get your mail anytime, anywhere - or choose
>>>SMTP if you would rather.
>>
>>I'm even more interested.  If you take up the SMTP option, do you
>>get a domain to yourself (like with Demon)?
>
>No, and they use dynamic IP addresses which is worse.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. The header of the posting from the
gentleman at dircon:-

From: nigel@nelgin.dircon.co.uk (Nigel Reed)
Reply-To: nigel@nelgin.dircon.co.uk
NNTP-Posting-Host: nelgin.dircon.co.uk

Also I always thought that you needed static addresses to do SMTP.

--
Nigel Barker
nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk

Nigel Barker (nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk) wrote:

> Also I always thought that you needed static addresses to do SMTP.

No. you can do SMTP delivery using dynamic addresses, it just requires
a little more thought, and use of dynamic updates to the DNS.
[in fact, you can do it without this, by having a static DNS, and
hacking the gethostbyname() routine to return the current IP address
assigned to a node -- simple]

This is one of the reasons why the dynamic vs static argument is so pointless.

Richard
+----------------------------------+
|    richard@illuin.demon.co.uk    |  ... and the light of the Lamps of the
+----------------------------------+      Valar flowed out over the Earth

On Sat, 20 Jan 1996 21:30:47 GMT, nigel@nelgin.dircon.co.uk (Nigel
Reed) commented:
>Dircon provide access to the whole UK through the same 0345 number, so
>no matter where you are, you can get a connect, first time, every time
>for me. 

Listen, Sunshine[tm], I`ve had just about enough of your ranting
about dircon. You`ve been crapping all over demon.service from a
dircon account, and you are all well out of order. Fix your headers
and shut up.

>I'm sure there's lots of other providers who'd love you business who
>care about the service they provide.

Disingenuous balls.

-- 
Nick Sellors, Derby, England. nicks@wipak.demon.co.uk
"We are the music makers, We are the dreamers of dreams,
We are the movers and shakers, Of the world forever, it seems"
Arthur O'Shaunhessy

On Sat, 20 Jan 1996 23:46:44 +0000, Steve Smith
<steves@a4000.demon.co.uk> commented:

>In Article <4drn05$7pt@newsgate.dircon.co.uk> Nigel Reed writes:
>>Only ever had one or two, at the most, problems getting onto News...a
>>second retry always worked.
>
>I'm interested ... do they provide a full news feed?

No. Only Demon do.

>
>>Also, using POP3, you can get your mail anytime, anywhere - or choose
>>SMTP if you would rather.
>
>I'm even more interested.  If you take up the SMTP option, do you
>get a domain to yourself (like with Demon)?

No, and they use dynamic IP addresses which is worse.

N.

-- 
Nick Sellors, Derby, England. nicks@wipak.demon.co.uk
"We are the music makers, We are the dreamers of dreams,
We are the movers and shakers, Of the world forever, it seems"
Arthur O'Shaunhessy

Steve Smith <steves@a4000.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>In Article <4drn05$7pt@newsgate.dircon.co.uk> Nigel Reed writes:
>>Only ever had one or two, at the most, problems getting onto News...a
>>second retry always worked.

>I'm interested ... do they provide a full news feed?

	Not really and the news feed is a little quirky, as you will see from
my posts turning up about 48 hours after they're uploaded sometimes.
You can read all about it on tdc.general, complete with comments from
the staff.

>>Also, using POP3, you can get your mail anytime, anywhere - or choose
>>SMTP if you would rather.

>I'm even more interested.  If you take up the SMTP option, do you
>get a domain to yourself (like with Demon)?

	No. You just get somebody@dircon.co.uk. 

	BTW there is a rumour floating about on tdc.general that the company
is about to start giving away half a megabyte of web server space to
everyone.

In article <31042a6d.1231198@158.152.1.37>
           nicks@wipak.demon.co.uk "Nick Sellors" writes:

> On Mon, 22 Jan 1996 23:17:25 GMT, nigel@nelgin.dircon.co.uk (Nigel
> Reed) commented:
> 
> >Milamber <Darkness@sethanon.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> >>Hmmm, Dircon eh? Seems like they've picked up lately then. I wonder 
> >>when they'll start having the same problems?
> >
> >And when are Demon going to get theirs sorted?
> 
> About the same time that Dircon start to wonder how to solve theirs.

Is it a law of nature that every ISP must accept all the business 
available, whether or not they have capacity to handle it with high 
service levels?  Demon's problems are totally self-induced and avoidable
through a modicum of integrity and self-restraint.

Regards,
-- 
   Tony - G3SKR / AA2PM                  email: tgold@panix.com
                                                tgold@microvst.demon.co.uk
                                        packet: g3skr@n0ary.#nocal.ca.usa.na

nicks@wipak.demon.co.uk (Nick Sellors) wrote:
>>They have 16,000 newsgroups, but those they dont have, I'm sure
>>they'll take if you ask them!
>>(I get this one! Proof that even the obscure ones get through!)
>>

>Do they get the de.* groups that Pipex (their supplier) don`t ?

There are around 200 de.* newsgroups listed although I've not looked
at their contents.

>>>>Also, using POP3, you can get your mail anytime, anywhere - or choose
>>>>SMTP if you would rather.
>>
>>>I'm even more interested.  If you take up the SMTP option, do you
>>>get a domain to yourself (like with Demon)?
>>
>>Yes you do. I was lucky enough to be able to have the same nodename
>>too!

>Lucky is not a word I would have used.

Oh? what word would you have used then?

Nigel

Gary Cooper <Cooper@wordshop.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>In article <31042a6d.1231198@158.152.1.37>
>           nicks@wipak.demon.co.uk "Nick Sellors" writes:

>> 
>> About the same time that Dircon start to wonder how to solve theirs.


>You know, I've been hearing this argument for the past two years.
>It goes "Stick with Demon 'cos sooner or later whoever you go to
>will be in this situation and Demon will have it all worked out
>by then."

>It's (not to put too fine a point on it) balls. Had I moved
>two years ago, I'd probably have had two years decent service,
>following which *had* SmallCo Ltd. started experiencing problems,
>I could have re-joined Demon. The same, of course, applies now.

Exactly - and there is still time to move - do you really think Demon
are going to get all this sorted out within the next year? They've
been at it for a year already with little or no results.

>There *are* reasons for staying with Demon. That argument just 
>isn't one of them. 

Totally agree, I moved because I wanted a proper service, which is
what I'm getting now - I'd suggest leaving and try SmallCo Ltd (or
whoever you may choose) - it was certainly well worth the risk for me.

Regards
Nigel

tom@barkas.demon.co.uk (Tom Barkas) wrote:

>Having passed 9 terrible months on Demon ,waiting for the "we'll get
>it right come Doomsday" promised and despite the whingers who moan
>about those customers pointing out the slight imperfections at the
>time, I moved to Dircon and the difference was incredible in terms of
>getting connected and help line. The only thing Demon has in it's
>favour as far as I'm concerned is something not actually
>Demon-provided, namely it's newsgroups and the helpful people (yes,
>they're not all headbangers) that you find there, which you don't find
>anywhere else. I'm now re-assessing Demon because of this and the
>local charge (but Dircon have also now gone for this) and the service
>does seem to have improved unless you want news cheap rate (or maybe
>access to ftp demon). But.. we'll see.


As you say, Dircon offer local calls via a single 0345 number for
those outside London - no need trying to track down your local number
when moving around the UK.

If you really want news from Demon, connect to pubnews.demon.co.uk -
if you can get on. Their ftp site is OK, but you also have
sunsite.doc.ic.ac.uk which has about 70 gig of disks on it - plenty to
choose from there and it's not too slow either.

Regards
Nigel

In article <31042a6d.1231198@158.152.1.37>
           nicks@wipak.demon.co.uk "Nick Sellors" writes:

> 
> About the same time that Dircon start to wonder how to solve theirs.


You know, I've been hearing this argument for the past two years.
It goes "Stick with Demon 'cos sooner or later whoever you go to
will be in this situation and Demon will have it all worked out
by then."

It's (not to put too fine a point on it) balls. Had I moved
two years ago, I'd probably have had two years decent service,
following which *had* SmallCo Ltd. started experiencing problems,
I could have re-joined Demon. The same, of course, applies now.

There *are* reasons for staying with Demon. That argument just 
isn't one of them. 

-- 
Gary Cooper

ferret@dircon.co.uk (The Ferret) wrote:

>Richard Ashton <richard@corixia.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>>Look fuckwit. Please explain why the magazine Internet, who have
>>started the only provider tests puplically available, do NOT include
>>Dircon.

>	Hoi. Mind your language.

It's ok - mom will sort him out <grin> - 1936 Female Boxing Champion,
she was...honest!

>>PS I will forward any slanderous comments about the magazine to EMAP
>>Computing

>	I have already forwarded yours to that worthy organisation.

Ohhh, post a reply wont you?

Regards
Nigel

dimsey@best.com (Phil Jones) wrote:

>>That is correct - as I've said elsewhere in this and other threads -
>>you can have EITHER dynamic ip/POP3 or static ip/SMTP with Dircon - it
>>makes no difference either way. I even started with a POP3 account and
>>they changed it to an SMTP account - that's flexability for you!
>>
>I presume they also do static IP with POP3?

Erm, never asked about that one I'm afraid - I'd have thought so.

Regards
Nigel

On Tue, 23 Jan 1996 22:00:22 GMT, nigel@nelgin.dircon.co.uk (Nigel Reed)
wrote:

>nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk (Nigel Barker) wrote:

>>Also I always thought that you needed static addresses to do SMTP.
>
>That is correct - as I've said elsewhere in this and other threads -
>you can have EITHER dynamic ip/POP3 or static ip/SMTP with Dircon - it
>makes no difference either way. I even started with a POP3 account and
>they changed it to an SMTP account - that's flexability for you!
>
>Regards
>nigel
>
But what about POP3/static IP. A certain Internet Discovery Ltd has sent me
information about themselves, and they offer this. It means that you get
the advantages of POP3 mail whilst being able to have multiple users and
being run server software when u are connected. The latter is a small
point, but quite helpful and gives a lot of flexibility.
-----------------------------------
The Truth Is Out There - to get me.
-----------------------------------

lucian@w-title.demon.co.uk (Herodotus) wrote:

>On Tue, 23 Jan 1996 22:00:22 GMT, nigel@nelgin.dircon.co.uk (Nigel Reed)
>wrote:

>>nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk (Nigel Barker) wrote:

>>>Also I always thought that you needed static addresses to do SMTP.
>>
>>That is correct - as I've said elsewhere in this and other threads -
>>you can have EITHER dynamic ip/POP3 or static ip/SMTP with Dircon - it
>>makes no difference either way. I even started with a POP3 account and
>>they changed it to an SMTP account - that's flexability for you!
>>
>>Regards
>>nigel
>>
>But what about POP3/static IP. A certain Internet Discovery Ltd has sent me
>information about themselves, and they offer this. It means that you get
>the advantages of POP3 mail whilst being able to have multiple users and
>being run server software when u are connected. The latter is a small
>point, but quite helpful and gives a lot of flexibility.

After a discussion with Dircon - it turns out that all people who have
a static IP address (and SMTP) ALSO have the POP3 account.

Regards
Nigel

In article <310a88a8.33364010@pubnews.demon.co.uk>, Herodotus
<mailto:lucian@w-title.demon.co.uk> wrote:

> But what about POP3/static IP. A certain Internet Discovery Ltd has sent me
> information about themselves, and they offer this. It means that you get
> the advantages of POP3 mail whilst being able to have multiple users and
> being run server software when u are connected. The latter is a small
> point, but quite helpful and gives a lot of flexibility.

What would be nice is an ISP with 500k of WWW space AND multiple mailboxes.
I've been looking for a replacement for Demon but I either get multiple
mailboxes or WWW space.  OR, WWW space and a huge cost for extra mailboxes.

Anyone care to suggest an alternative?

-- 
****  Adam Juniper
***____________________________________________________________________________
**                                                    adam@juniperf.demon.co.uk
*                              2 School Lane, TA5 2QS, Somerset, United Kingdom

Adam Juniper <adam@juniperf.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>In article <310a88a8.33364010@pubnews.demon.co.uk>, Herodotus
><mailto:lucian@w-title.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>> But what about POP3/static IP. A certain Internet Discovery Ltd has sent me
>> information about themselves, and they offer this. It means that you get
>> the advantages of POP3 mail whilst being able to have multiple users and
>> being run server software when u are connected. The latter is a small
>> point, but quite helpful and gives a lot of flexibility.

>What would be nice is an ISP with 500k of WWW space AND multiple mailboxes.
>I've been looking for a replacement for Demon but I either get multiple
>mailboxes or WWW space.  OR, WWW space and a huge cost for extra mailboxes.

Dircon have just started a beta test of their free web space, you get
about half a meg at the moment during testing...but it's more than
enough for a homepage.

You can also choose an SMTP account which also gives you POP3. 

Regards
Nigel