Re: NNTP - how to check for removed newsgroups ?

R.Wieser wrote:

> Simple question : using the NNTP protocol - How do I check for newsgroups
> that have been removed ?
>
> I don't really want to go thru the list of all newsgroups I currently have
> stored and check, one by one, if I they are still present on the newsgroup
> server.
>
> Remark: I found the command to find all *new* newsgroups (since a certain
> date), but have not been able to find its opposite.

There isn't a method defined in any RFC to do so, because there are a number 
of hurdles that make it infeasible:

- *WHO* decides what groups to include on that list?
- How far back do you want to go/removed since *WHEN*?
- For each user, the server would need to remember the last time that user
  checked the groups, and what groups have been removed since then. *WHERE*
  does the server store this information?
- *WHY* would the server retain information it has already removed?

The *only* method to do this is using the "LIST" command.

Alternately, you could send the "CAPABILITIES" command and see what the 
server returns. Maybe your chosen server has a method to do what you want. 
(Don't count on it.)

-- 
In her shadow is my death. I will not approach her.