Proxy Retarded

I have been trying to figure out how to use proxies. I use Firefox. I go to tools>options>connection settings, and enter proxy IP's from lists posted online. I always get either a "operation timed out" or "connection refused" message.
I have done searches for tutorials on teh web and on Mozilla's site, and havent figured out what Im doing wrong yet. Can someone help me out here?
Thanks

 

You're doing it right. That is how you do it. The problem is more likely the proxies you are trying to use. It can be hard to find working proxies. Free sites that give you lists of them fail A LOT. You might go through 10 or more before you even find one working one. Also if you're trying to find rare proxies from odd ball contries they almost always fail, so you could go throuhg 50 and never find one working. It's much easier to find a working proxy from somewheres like the states.

Unless of course you're paying for proxy servers. In which case there easy to use.

 

Hm....
So, I check manual proxy configuration, then enter the same proxy ip in ALL the boxes (HTTP,SSL,FTP,GOPHER,and SOCKS)?
If I am doing THAT correctly, and the problem is the proxies themselves,then where can I find some reliable proxy lists?
I saw a program (somewhere) that I can download that will have MY computer scan for my own proxies-what about doing that?

 

Aer there any experienced proxy users here that can advise me?

 

Like I said, using free proxies lists is well known to be unreliable. SO no I can't point you at a reliable proxy list since the only reliable ones are paid services.

 

Okay,
Does anyone know of a good, comprehensive, and FREE program I can download to find my own proxies? I stumbled across one, and didn't want to download it until I do a bit more research, now I cant find it again. D'OH!
Thanks fer yer help, Coco.

 

Any program would just scan known free proxy sites and then relay the information to you. You'd be just as well of using google. The only diffrence is google has more content to offer.

To be honest using free proxies is basicly done for two reasons. One just to prove that you can do it and shwo off to friends. Or two, you got kicked out of some place for being a pain and now you want back in.

If you arn't doing it for one of those you may want to consider paying because you won't find free proxies that always work. There are some with great up time, but they arn't reliable and to be honest using proxies isn't somethign the average user really has much use for.

At any rate, just searching google is still most likely the quickest and easiest method.

 

Thanks Coco.
Actually, after reading about proxies numerous times, I just decided I would learn how to use them, for no reason other than the knowledge to be gained. So, no, its not important enough to pay for a service, but I will not let it rest until I have done it successfully. Then, I will move on to whatever my next 'project' will be. Its all about learnin' stuff, man!