You might already know this, but I've been using Agent forever and
just discovered it. I use version 1.93.
I usually subscribe to 5-7 newsgroups.
When I retrieve new headers it's slow, saying "Retrieving up to nnnn
headers." nnnn could be a high number, even if it's only pulling 1
new message header or none at all.
The progress bar sometimes takes up to half a minute to complete for a
group even when there are no new headers.
If you notice this too, here's what "fixed" it for me.
Pull in new headers and immediately use Options Catch Up With
Selected Groups. This will reset the Agent RC file.
Then it is very fast - almost instantaneous - pulling in new headers.
Can't and don't want to get technical, except to say Agent's parsing
of message headers in Agent's RC file runs like a one-legged dog.

--Vic