Thunderbird Setup Guide for NewsgroupDirect

This guide will walk you through setting up Thunderbird to work with NewsgroupDirect news servers. If you haven't already signed up for Usenet access then consider NewsgroupDirect. They offer 1,374 days of binary retention, 50 connections, SSL encryption and servers in the US and Europe. NGR visitors receive a 20% off lifetime discount on all monthly NGD plans so if you haven't signed up for Usenet access this is a great chance to get started.

Download Thunderbird

Visit the Thunderbird homepage to download the latest version of the newsreader client.

Install Thunderbird

Follow these screenshots to guide you through the installation.

Figure 1 - Thunderbird Setup Type


A - Select "Custom"
B - Check "Use Thunderbird as mt default mail application" if desired
C - Click "Next"

Figure 2 - Thunderbird Mail Account Setup


A - Click "Cancel"

Figure 3 -Thunderbird System Integration


A - Check "Newsgroups"
B - Check "Always perform this check when starting Thunderbird"
C - Click "OK"

Figure 4 -Thunderbird Tools --> Account Settings


Click "Tools" and then "Account Settings"

Figure 5 -Thunderbird Account Actions


Click "Account Actions" and then "Add Other Account"

Figure 6 -Thunderbird New Account Setup


A - Select "Newsgroup Account"
B - Click "Next"

Figure 7 -Thunderbird Identity


A - Enter your name
B - Enter your email address

Figure 8 -Thunderbird Newsgroup Server


A - Newsgroup Server: news.newsgroupdirect.com or news-ssl.newsgroupdirect.com (SSL)

Figure 9 -Thunderbird Account Name


A - Account Name: enter anything you want

After returning to the main Thunderbird you want to click on "View settings for this account".

Figure 10 - Thunderbird Installation Complete


Configure Thunderbird for Newsgroup Direct

Figure 11 -Thunderbird Password


Once Thunderbird loads you will want to click on Manage newsgroup subscriptions

Figure 12 - Thunderbird Username


A - Enter Username (provided in email)
B - Click "OK"

Figure 13 - Thunderbird Password


A - Enter Password (provided in email)
B - Click "OK"

Figure 14 - Thunderbird Password


Click "View settings for this account"

Figure 15 - Thunderbird News Server Settings


The account settings screen includes everything you need to finish setting up Thunderbird.
A - First click on Server Settings to the left.
B - Server Name: news.newsgroupdirect.com or news-ssl.newsgroupdirect.com (SSL)
C - Port: use port 563, 80 or 81 for secure or port 119, 23, 25, 443 or 8080 for standard connections.
D - Check "Use secure connection (SSL)" for secure access.

Thunderbird is now configured for NewsgroupDirect. Enjoy!