Re: NNTP - how to check for removed newsgroups ?

I wrote:

> 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.

...and then comparing the downloaded list to the local copy.

> 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.)

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