You don't have to with INN because it will make them for you
   in the "make install" process.  I suspect news servers others are similar.


sorry, but how the hell does `make install' know to create local
spool directories?  if (for some insane moment) i decided to install
INN here, and i wanted a set of 'eterna.xxx' groups, i would have
to create /var/spool/news/eterna manually!


there is a problem here, for sure.  i don't know exactly what it is,
but you're analysis seems to be missing somethings.


.mrg.