Newsgroups

[ThePunkPanther]

usenet has always been a useful tool for me over the years.

so much so that when i got myself a commercial net connection, I put up my own usenet server and keep it stocked with the three or four thousand usenet groups i read regularly.

ok, it needs some static ip addys and it needs a usenet feed but still. if you control your own usenet server, you can tell NNTPD how many days to refresh.

not terribly difficult, just keep an eye on the bandwidth usage.

 

[bluebinary]

Primus gives you access to usenetserver.com included with their DSL, so if you live close to a CO and get fast DSL connection, might wanna try them out.

Wow, now I wish I could switch over to Primus, but don't think I can because of my phone company situation, but was just going to suggest usenetserver.com as an excellent and super fast newsgroup provider.

I have been with them over a year now, and have always got consistent speeds and very long retention times, they even recently upgraded to 90 days on most groups.

I use both torrents and newsgroups to download, but I have always preferred usenet because it is private and only you and the newsgroup provider know what you are downloading. Where as with BitTorrent your I.P. is broadcasted to whomever is downloading the same torrent, unless of course you are on a private BT tracker.


Anyhow how take a peek and see if the price is right.

3-month High Speed - $39.95 USD
3 months of high-speed Usenet service with unlimited downloads for $39.95.

Monthly High Speed - $14.95 USD
High-speed Usenet service with unlimited downloads for $14.95.

3 for 3 High Speed Trial - $3.00 USD
3 days of high-speed Usenet service with unlimited downloads for $3.00.

UseNetServer.com

 

[DUBZ]

I'll throw NewsRover in the mix in terms of clients. I've used NewsBin, GrabIt, NewsLeecher and NewsRover in the past. I liked all but NewsLeecher.

I haven't been on newsgroups since Rogers got rid of theirs. Now that Rogers has killed my torrent uploads with their traffic shaping packet inspection algorithm I'm looking for a usenet provider.

This is a handy thread. I knew about the big guys like Giga and Newshosting, but UseNetServer looks to be the cheapest and has some good numbers (10 connections, 90 day retention). Not to mention some vouching of good service.

Any more recommendations to throw in the mix?

 

[WoodPeckr]

So far have been very happy with Giganews and GrabIt.
Just wish I had taken the trouble to get into and learn newsgroups earlier.
They are vastly superior to torrent and p2p programs.

 

[Tangwhich]

I've been using usenet for years and I agree with what's said above, it's way better than torrents. The best kept secret on the net. I can download an full mp3 in around 10 - 15 seconds.
I've been using usenetserver.com for over a year at $14.95US a month and I can't say enough good things about them.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Thinking about getting back into newsgroups

Are they still as good as they were here in this old thread?
Anyone using them?
Been away from them awhile.

Giganews has a free 2 week trial going on, thinking of giving them a whirl again. Used Giganews in the past and it was great.

 

[WoodPeckr]

even better now. giganews retention is up to 365 days

Noted that, it's impressive.
Back when I used it, believe retention was 90 days.

 

[Disturbia]

I've been using giganews for over a year now. Very happy with their service.

Not sure if there is anything like them in Canada but I think Teksavvy has this as part of their internet package. But I am not 100% sure. Check them out, if you like.

 

[toughb]

I'll throw NewsRover in the mix in terms of clients. I've used NewsBin, GrabIt, NewsLeecher and NewsRover in the past. I liked all but NewsLeecher.

I haven't been on newsgroups since Rogers got rid of theirs. Now that Rogers has killed my torrent uploads with their traffic shaping packet inspection algorithm I'm looking for a usenet provider.

This is a handy thread. I knew about the big guys like Giga and Newshosting, but UseNetServer looks to be the cheapest and has some good numbers (10 connections, 90 day retention). Not to mention some vouching of good service.

Any more recommendations to throw in the mix?

***

NewsRover and download from Alibis. Unlimited downloads for about $39/3 months...

 

[Disturbia]

FYI, unless you guys use SSL, your connection won't be secure. That means, your ISP would be able to check on your activities .... slow down your connection and send you their nasty e-mails!

As I mentioned before, I use giganews with their Diamond plan. It costs me about $33.00 something. Yes, it's more expensive than others, however, it's fast, 1 year binary retention, 20 simultaneous connections and secure. This last one is more important to me, 'cause those smart pants wouldn't know if I'm connected to newsgroups or my office via VPN! As soon as my connection becomes slow, I pickup the phone, complain, give them some shit and ask for credit!

I don't have cable TV and not interested in renting movies either ... so, I save some $$ !

 

[WoodPeckr]

There's stuff on newsgroups, you won't find easily if at all on torrents.

not really. I've found it the other way around. torrents have way more stuff.

That original post was a bit over 2 yrs old. Torrent content has grown since then and so has newsgroups.
FWIW, redid the Diana Krall torrents search and get 203,000 results now, where I got 46,000 results 2 yrs ago.

Newsgroups are still better because downloads are much faster and there's no ratio worries that come with torrents. The only downside to newsgroups is you must be a paid subscriber and they are a little bit more complex to use/learn than torrents.....at least with Windows. On linux, Ubuntu, it's an easy '3 step setup' and you're in, up and running....

 

[SilentLeviathan]

I use AstraWeb, $11/month, unlimited downloads, 20 SSL connections, and 365 days retention.

 

[WoodPeckr]

SilentLeviathan

AstraWeb looks like a great deal, better than Giganews.
Are you happy with their service?
Giganews had so much built-in redundancy, they never went down.
Are they Uncensored Newsgroups?
Is that 365 days binary retention?

 

[svtcobra]

The advantages of Newsgroups over torrents are many, but the determining factor for most people is the fact that there is a price to pay to access the newsgroups. I use both, but (IMHO) whoever says that Torrents are better does not know what they speak of. When it comes to content at least it's a no contest.

To the original poster: I don't know of any local newsgroups for Toronto (free, and with Binaries access which I assume is what you want) but I suggest giving Giganews a try. If you find the cost unbearable, or unreasonable then just split the costs with a friend, and get the unlimited access account.

You have nailed it!

I use AstraWeb, $11/month, unlimited downloads, 20 SSL connections, and 365 days retention.

Originally I was in newsgroups for the longest time, then I went to private scene ftp sites that had restricted access, and all that you can imagine that is out there on the net and available quicker than other sites, I lost my contact in that world, so I went to torrents scene for awhile I was so fed up with most of hte site going ratio this and ratio that. I ended up going back to newgroups and have never looked back.

I used Giganews for the longest time when when I saw my statement coming in, I said wow. Giganews are good people but honestly they charge too much, they are well know and when I first started out back in the day they were small and now they are huge.
I found Astraweb and to be honest they have little problem here and there but when i use their service, I cannot complain all my speed at extremely quick. When I joined them there were at 160days rentention now I think it is above 200 days. I don't really care for how old the rentention is because I only look at the new stuff avaliable.

Do not used these services unless you enable SSL encryption.

 

[SilentLeviathan]

AstraWeb looks like a great deal, better than Giganews.
Are you happy with their service?
Giganews had so much built-in redundancy, they never went down.
Are they Uncensored Newsgroups?
Is that 365 days binary retention?

Yes to all those questions

 

[SilentLeviathan]

You have nailed it!

Originally I was in newsgroups for the longest time, then I went to private scene ftp sites that had restricted access, and all that you can imagine that is out there on the net and available quicker than other sites, I lost my contact in that world, so I went to torrents scene for awhile I was so fed up with most of hte site going ratio this and ratio that. I ended up going back to newgroups and have never looked back.

I used Giganews for the longest time when when I saw my statement coming in, I said wow. Giganews are good people but honestly they charge too much, they are well know and when I first started out back in the day they were small and now they are huge.
I found Astraweb and to be honest they have little problem here and there but when i use their service, I cannot complain all my speed at extremely quick. When I joined them there were at 160days rentention now I think it is above 200 days. I don't really care for how old the rentention is because I only look at the new stuff avaliable.

Do not used these services unless you enable SSL encryption.

I use a lot of private FTP and Torrent sites but newsgroups are nice for really obsecure stuff or if you want something right away.