Who here uses Usenet/Newsgroups?

[headchange4u]

This is mainly just idle curiosity. I was wondering how many other members here are Usenet addicts like myself. Thanks.

For those wondering What Usenet is you can get an idea here.

 

[ahmose]

Not as much as i used too. Part of the reason is my ISP doesn't carry any reliable newsfeeds.
I use the google newsgroups, but i don't like the interface.

 

[rauer]

Been using the Usenet since around 1986. At that time I didn't even have a PC but a dumb VT52 terminal connected to a modem(!).

The problem with the Usenet is the lower than low signal to noise ratio and the endless spams. That's one of the reasons I don't use it so much anymore.

 

[StevieDvd]

Me.

Sometimes for work-related, sometimes for personal. Useful resource at the best of times; spam city at worst.

I sometimes use it to look for solutions to problems, a good example of this was when I upgraded my Sat Nav software on my Pocket PC. There was no option to recognise by Bluetooth gps unit. Lot's of people had the problem and a solution was mentioned which worked for me. Much quicker than some companies provide support.


Steve

 

[mightyacorn]

I've been using usenet for at least 12 years. Not as popular as it once was, now with all the web based forums.

 

[rreynol]

I'm on usenetserver.com since roadrunners retention rate is horrible. I've used giganews in the past. They offer a great service but don't offer an unlimited plan (where as usenetserver.com does).

Just looked into it:
Wow, giganews now offers unlimited (with 10 connections). Too bad its 25 bucks. UsenetServer is only 14.99/mo.

 

[headchange4u]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rreynol I'm on usenetserver.com since roadrunners retention rate is horrible. I've used giganews in the past. They offer a great service but don't offer an unlimited plan (where as usenetserver.com does). Just looked into it: Wow, giganews now offers unlimited (with 10 connections). Too bad its 25 bucks. UsenetServer is only 14.99/mo.

I've been using Giganews Unlimited for quite a while now. Nothing else compares to it. They have a 45 day retention that has just been upgraded to like 50 days. 99 % complete. No other servers come close. I used Newshosting, UsenetServer (I have this through my ISP. I use it as a back up), Astraweb, as well as a few others. Nothing compares to Giganews.

 

[headchange4u]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rreynol I'm on usenetserver.com since roadrunners retention rate is horrible. I've used giganews in the past. They offer a great service but don't offer an unlimited plan (where as usenetserver.com does). Just looked into it: Wow, giganews now offers unlimited (with 10 connections). Too bad its 25 bucks. UsenetServer is only 14.99/mo.

I've been using Giganews Unlimited for quite a while now. Nothing else compares to it. They have a 45 day retention that has just been upgraded to like 50 days. 99 % complete. No other servers come close. I used Newshosting, UsenetServer (I have this through my ISP. I use it as a back up), Astraweb, as well as a few others. Nothing compares to Giganews. It is well worth the extra $10 a month.

 

[rreynol]

Quote:

Originally Posted by headchange4u I've been using Giganews Unlimited for quite a while now. Nothing else compares to it. They have a 45 day retention that has just been upgraded to like 50 days. 99 % complete. No other servers come close. I used Newshosting, UsenetServer (I have this through my ISP. I use it as a back up), Astraweb, as well as a few others. Nothing compares to Giganews. It is well worth the extra $10 a month.

The way I see it, I pay 15 for usenetserver. GigaNews is 66% more per month, in cost. I haven't had a problem yet with usenets retention. Giganews is clearly better (but I just dont think 66% better). Usenetserver used to be quite bad, retention wise. However, they've really improved over the last year or so (I think I've been with them somewhere between 2 and 3 years). Giganews is definately awesome for fills (or if you don't regularly check groups like I do).

 

[headchange4u]

Most premium servers have enough retention for the normal user. I used my ISP based UNS account few years, even back in the day when there were LOTS of incomplete files. That was what made me switch to using other servers. I've always had a Giganews account. I used to have one of the 2 GB per month accounts for fills. Bacically I was paying the 14.99 a month for a server like Astraweb or UNS and the 7.99 a month for my fill account with Giganews. That puts you up pretty close to the price of a Giganews Unlimited account.

I do find myself needing the extra retention quite a bit now, especially since the advent of .nzb files and indexing sites like Newzbin. If UNS works for you then there is really no need in paying the extra for Giganews.

 

[MrSlacker]

i use newsgroups all the time. i use Newsleecher and Verizon's servers are pretty good.

 

[rreynol]

I just recently discovered Newsleecher. It is honestly the best newsreader I've come across yet.

 

[headchange4u]

Die hard fan of NewsBin Pro here. I've used Newsleecher before and liked it at first, but it was very unstable in it's early releases. The last release I tried had some sort of bug in it that would not allow me to access my Giganews account. That was the last straw. NewsBin Pro all the way.

 

[Nospam]

I stopped using it in '96. That's about when the signal-to-noise ratio became ridiculous. One person posts a question, and it's followed by 50 people saying "yeah, I want to know too"

Has it gotten better since?