Thanks to all...
I doubt Firewall issues but it was worth suggesting. (Vista's own is on, and
my linux based FSG3 has another, but it's all set up nicely and everything I
want to normally goes through just fine)
Ah! Server problem. "Message rating features" - now disabled. Thanks for the
info.
I'm only using W Mail because the web interfaces left something to be
desired... it's basic, it works, it'll do... suggestions for other
newsreaders I'll save for future reference - I only read here because I have
problems (read that any way you want

) so now I understand the issues
everything should be fine.
Thanks folks!
Julian