Hey - I use 1.7c and the much maligned 'Communities' tab works for me almost every time.

I have most success with Australia - but don't believe when it says 'failed to connect' give it another try and another, wait a moment while it's thinking about it- and it almost always connects.
Give it a go - but be patient - I got 700 hosts using this a couple of days ago.

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~Kath~
Always judge a person by the way they treat someone who can be of no possible use to them