can gnus do this ?

[news]

I've taken the plunge with emacs and so far am pleased at the
integrated approach. 

Can gnus be set up to:
1. down-load only the last N headers of selected groups;
2. down-load only the previously 'marked for  d/ling' bodies of articles;
3. go directly [without browsing] to the set of d/l-article bodies  ?

So far [on linux] it "can't connect to server" - error.
Is this set-up under gnus/emacs, or is it passed off to a different 
'transporter',
as mailing is apparently passed-off to send mail ?

Thnaks for any info,

== Chris Glur