From cc3fe82ccf83fe0bd65f1cd23076073769e9d442 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Dave Abrahams Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2011 21:55:18 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Clarify the role of the .newsrc file To: ding@gnus.org Not saving/loading it doesn't make it impossible to use other newsreaders, it merely means they will not be synchronized with Gnus. --- lisp/gnus-start.el | 14 ++++++++------ texi/gnus.texi | 18 ++++++++++-------- 2 files changed, 18 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-) diff --git a/lisp/gnus-start.el b/lisp/gnus-start.el index aa9af01..91ca54f 100644 --- a/lisp/gnus-start.el +++ b/lisp/gnus-start.el @@ -218,9 +218,10 @@ groups." "*Non-nil means that Gnus will read the `.newsrc' file. Gnus always reads its own startup file, which is called \".newsrc.eld\". The file called \".newsrc\" is in a format that can -be readily understood by other newsreaders. If you don't plan on -using other newsreaders, set this variable to nil to save some time on -entry." +be readily understood by other newsreaders. If you don't +care whether Gnus can stay in synch with changes made in other +newsreaders (e.g. to group subscriptions and article marks), set +this variable to nil to save some time on entry." :version "21.1" :group 'gnus-newsrc :type 'boolean) @@ -229,9 +230,10 @@ entry." "*Non-nil means that Gnus will save the `.newsrc' file. Gnus always saves its own startup file, which is called \".newsrc.eld\". The file called \".newsrc\" is in a format that can -be readily understood by other newsreaders. If you don't plan on -using other newsreaders, set this variable to nil to save some time on -exit." +be readily understood by other newsreaders. If you don't +care whether other newsreaders can stay in synch with changes +made in Gnus (e.g. to group subscriptions and article marks), set +this variable to nil to save some time on exit." :group 'gnus-newsrc :type 'boolean) diff --git a/texi/gnus.texi b/texi/gnus.texi index f500a2e..7c1feca 100644 --- a/texi/gnus.texi +++ b/texi/gnus.texi @@ -1405,8 +1405,10 @@ not stored in the @file{.newsrc} file. You can turn off writing the @file{.newsrc} file by setting @code{gnus-save-newsrc-file} to @code{nil}, which means you can delete the file and save some space, as well as exiting from Gnus faster. -However, this will make it impossible to use other newsreaders than -Gnus. But hey, who would want to, right? Similarly, setting +However, Gnus and other newsreaders will not maintain a synchronized +idea of which groups you're subscribed to or articles you've read. +But hey, who would want to use another newsreader, right? +Similarly, setting @code{gnus-read-newsrc-file} to @code{nil} makes Gnus ignore the @file{.newsrc} file and any @file{.newsrc-SERVER} files, which can be convenient if you use a different news reader occasionally, and you @@ -28875,15 +28877,15 @@ sizes a bit if you are running out of space. @item gnus-save-newsrc-file If this is @code{nil}, Gnus will never save @file{.newsrc}---it will -only save @file{.newsrc.eld}. This means that you will not be able to -use any other newsreaders than Gnus. This variable is @code{t} by -default. +only save @file{.newsrc.eld}. Other newsreaders will have no way to +stay in synch with changes made in Gnus (e.g. to group subscriptions and +article marks). This variable is @code{t} by default. @item gnus-read-newsrc-file If this is @code{nil}, Gnus will never read @file{.newsrc}---it will -only read @file{.newsrc.eld}. This means that you will not be able to -use any other newsreaders than Gnus. This variable is @code{t} by -default. +only read @file{.newsrc.eld}. Gnus will have no way to stay in synch +with changes made in other newsreaders (e.g. to group subscriptions and +article marks). This variable is @code{t} by default. @item gnus-save-killed-list If this is @code{nil}, Gnus will not save the list of dead groups. You -- 1.7.3.4