Accessing Newsgroups with Outlook Express with mainly offline usage:

Ctrl+M,   mark as hang-up when completed

Dialup Network (DUN),  
   [x] save password
   [x] connect automatically

Tools, Options, General
   Send / Receive Messages  (general)
     [x] Play sound when new message arrives
     [x]  Send and Receive messages at startup
     [x] Check for new messages every  5  minutes
          *Connect only when not working offline*

Tools, Options, Connection: 
    Dial-up
     [ ] Ask before switching dial-up connection
     [x] Hang up after sending and receiving
    Internet Connection settings  
     Outlook Express shares your Internet Connection settings
     with Internet Explorer.   use  [Change] button
       {choose} Dial-up Virtual Private Network Settings
       [x] Always dial my default connection
       [x] Perform system security check before dialing {???}
     LAN Settings
       [x] automaticall detect settings

	 
Bring up Outlook Express and dialup will start automatically.

Use  Ctrl+M and dial-up usually starts, but you usually
have to press  Connect button for dial-up to actually
start.