Connect
Several doors lead in. Where you can, prefer the ones markedsecure.
Terminal access
SSH
secureThe best way to connect. Encrypted end to end.
New here? Log in with username new, password new.
Telnet
cleartextWorks everywhere, but sends everything in the clear. New users can apply once connected.
Prefer SSH or the web terminal where you can.
Reading the message bases
Parts of the board are readable outside a terminal session, over protocols older than the web. NNTPS also lets you post.
Gopher
cleartextRead-only access to some message bases.
NNTP
cleartextRead-only access to some message bases.
NNTPS
secureRead and post to most message bases.
Requires your username and password. Thunderbird is an excellent client.
What you'll need
For telnet or SSH you'll want a terminal program — see recommended clients for the ones worth your time. For NNTP and NNTPS, any newsreader will do.