slrn - ArchWiki

# slrn

From ArchWiki

slrn is a text-based news client. It runs through a textual user interface and is highly customizable. It uses the S-Lang library.

## Installation

Install the slrn package.

## Configuration

To run slrn, you will have to set up an environment variable with the newsgroups server you wish to use (it is a good idea to put it into your .bashrc so you do not have to export it again for each session):

    NNTPSERVER='my.news.server' && export NNTPSERVER

Two important slrn configuration files are .slrnrc for basic configuration and .jnewsrc that contains the list of newsgroups.

To create .slrnrc from a sample startup file for slrn:

    # cp /usr/share/doc/slrn/slrn.rc ~/.slrnrc

After creating .slrnrc you should configure the user account and then create .jnewsrc:

    # slrn -f /home/your_username/.jnewsrc --create

#### User account

To set up your newsgroup account, you have to set up the following parameters in .slrnrc

    set username "desired_username"
    set hostname "desired_hostname"
    set replyto "some_name <email@example.com>"

#### Signature

To set up a signature uncomment the following line in .slrnrc:

    set signature ".signature"

Also, you have to create .signature file in your home folder and put your signature in it.

#### Encoding

To set up encoding (i.e. utf8) uncomment the following lines in .slrnrc:

    charset display utf8
    charset outgoing utf8

#### Displaying all posts

By default slrn will only shows unread posts. If you are used to having all posts listed in a certain newsgroup, this will be a big change for you. To have all posts listed add the following to your .slrnrc:

    setkey group "set_prefix_argument(4); () = select_group();" " "

## Managing usergroups

You can manage usergroups directly through slrn or by editing .jnewsrc file. If you decide to manage them using .jnewsrc file, you can do it by changing the ! and : at the end of each newsgroup.

Unsubscribed group example:

    misc.test! 1-210917

Subscribed group example:

    misc.test: 1-210917

## See also

- slrn Official slrn website.
- slrn FAQ slrn frequently asked questions

Category:

- Usenet clients