Re: automatic checking for new news

On 2004-02-05, Urs Janû”en <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, Feb 04, 2004 at 11:31:07PM -0800, Gary Johnson wrote:
> > I'm looking for a way to have tin periodically check the NNTP server
> > for new articles.  I don't mean the 'reread_active_file_secs'
> > variable.  That only works in response to some activity from the
> > keyboard.  I mean something like the keyboard timeout that mutt has
> > that periodically checks for new mail without any user interaction.
> > 
> > I don't see this feature in the change log at tin.org, so I thought
> > someone might have written a patch for it.
> 
> [<http://www.newsreaders.com/misc/twpierce/news/newsreader-manifesto.html>]
> | When your user is idle, don't generate traffic.
> |  If your user isn't typing, mouse'ing, clicking, etc. your
> |  newsreader shouldn't be generating work for the server. Imagine 5,000
> |  users all leaving your program running when they leave for lunch.

Thank you.  That was an interesting paper.  I really liked most of
what the author said.  It's relevant to so much more than just
newsreaders.

I've been wrestling with whether the particular admonition above
still makes sense today given the speed of current networks and
servers.  I suppose it might, so I guess I'll just stick with typing
'Y' into my tin window whenever I have the time for a news break.

Regards,
Gary

-- 
Gary Johnson                 | Agilent Technologies
[email protected]     | Wireless Division
                             | Spokane, Washington, USA