Forte Agent and Free Agent FAQ

What is a News Reader?
What are the Usenet Newsgroups?
How do I install it?
What is the news (NNTP) server?
What is the mail (SMTP) server?
How do I uninstall it?
Where can I get help?

What is a News Reader?
If you're looking for the latest headlines from CNN or MSNBC, you're probably going to be disappointed. However, it you're bored with "surfing the web" and looking to expand your reach on the internet, you might like the Usenet Newsgroups. This is what a newsreader accesses.

What are the Usenet Newsgroups?
Usenet is kind of a throwback to earlier days of the Internet, but still a great way to connect to others that share similar interests. At the time this FAQ was written our news server carried 26,446 different news groups covering just about every subject imaginable. That number will change as new groups are added and old groups get removed from time to time.

How do I install it?
Follow the link to Forte's Agent download page. In most cases, you'll want to choose the 32 bit version, unless you're using a very old version of Windows. You will click on the links entitled "FTP" to the right of the version you want. Then choose "Open" when the download window appears. In most cases, you will want to leave most of the directory settings alone.

What is the news (NNTP) server?
Mikrotec maintains a news server at the following address:

news.mikrotec.com

That is what you should enter in Agent as the news server. This server does not require authentication, but you may only access it if you are connected to the Internet through Mikrotec. In other words, you must be dialed up to one of our dial-up numbers or connecting to Mikrotec through your Mikrotec cable, DSL or other Mikrotec broadband connection.

What is the mail (SMTP) server?

In most cases, you'll enter pop.mikrotec.com as the mail server. If this does not work, please check your Outlook or Outlook Express settings for your outgoing mail server by checking TOOLS > ACCOUNTS and looking for the outgoing mail server there. If you still can't get a working mail server, please call Mikrotec Technical Support.

How do I uninstall it?
The easiest way to uninstall the program is to go to the Windows Control Panel and choose Add/Remove Programs and uninstall from there.

Where can I get help?
First and foremost, there is a help file included with the program. To access help, click "Help" on the toolbar at the top of the program. You should read and search the help file thoroughly before requesting assistance. Chances are, you'll find the answer to most of your questions there faster than anywhere else. Next, check Forte's Agent FAQ page at http://www.forteinc.com/agent/faq.php. There is a lot of information there about common errors. If all else fails, you can call Mikrotec Technical Support and they will attempt to assist you with the program. Please bear in mind that Mikrotec did not write this program, we only suggest it, and our technicians may not be privy to all technical support issues with this program.