Newsgroups: How they work?

**PirateCy** · April 27th, 2004, 06:20 AM

I'm a new user to newsgroups so I'd like to ask you a question. Why all the binaries on the newsgroups are incomplete? One day I went to alt.binaries.cd.image.games and I saw there the Unreal Tournament 2004 and it was incomplete. At first I thought that it was being posting this moment so I decided to come three days later. Three days later was still incomplete. Why it happens that and how can I download the full game?

I'd also like to tell me which do you think is the best site for searching binaries?

TIA

**Slycktom** · April 27th, 2004, 06:44 AM

Why all the binaries on the newsgroups are incomplete?

It all depends on what news server you are using. If you are using your ISP's news server, chances are that they will be incomplete. This exists for several reasons. Some ISP's have low "retention", also known as the amount of time they keep an archive on file. Some ISP news servers only keep messages for a day or two. Other ISP censor their newsgroups, while others limit binary groups to keep bandwidth down.

The only way to get good completion is to join a pay news server. I use Usenetserver.com. Its 15 a month and unlimited. Its an adequate service and has decent completion. If you want excellent service, then easynews.com is the way to go (10 bucks for 6 gigs, expensive but FAST and complete and nearly a month retention...)

I'd also like to tell me which do you think is the best site for searching binaries?

Binary indexing sites such as bin news and nfo news are ok, but often lack every single post. I have often found things in the binaries that are never indexed. These sites rely on people reporting back what they find.

If you have a good news server, Newsgroups are simply the best method for finding everything you want. For more info, go here ---> http://www.slyck.com/ng.php (shameless self plug.)

**Ezza6745** · April 27th, 2004, 07:31 AM

Like tom said check www.Slyck.com its got a great guide to using newsgroups where i first learnt about them now i use them all the time :)

**crackerjacker** · April 27th, 2004, 08:18 AM

Heres a little information on newsgroups.
If you are going to download from newsgroups you are going to have to visit a website that gives out information on what is being released on the newsgroups. The reason you want to visit a website dedicated to newsgroups releases, is that way you avoid the problems of not getting all the parts from a file. That way you also know what day the file came out and when to expect to get all the complete files from the group.

There is plenty more information and you should head over to http://www.slyck.com/ng.php. This is where I learned how to use newsgroups and I have been using newsgroups for a very long time.

peace

**crackerjacker** · April 27th, 2004, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Slycktom

Binary indexing sites such as bin news and nfo news are ok, but often lack every single post. I have often found things in the binaries that are never indexed. These sites rely on people reporting back what they find.

If you have a good news server, Newsgroups are simply the best method for finding everything you want. For more info, go here ---> http://www.slyck.com/ng.php (shameless self plug.)

hehe I didnt read other peoples posts but you got the right idea lol in linking to slycks webpage. :)

btw you really did do a good job with the tutorials. :)

**Ken17625** · April 27th, 2004, 10:09 AM

May I recommend newzBin for information on usenet postings.

http://www.newzbin.com

**fireforce555** · April 27th, 2004, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Ken17625

May I recommend newzBin for information on usenet postings.

http://www.newzbin.com

Yeah they are awesome. I cant wait till friday to start up my subscription with usenetserver :)

**Miniver** · April 27th, 2004, 07:10 PM

usually parity files are posted with the files. These are very useful for completing incomplete files. They utilize the reed-soloman algorithm which enables any par file to be used to fix any file that is corrupted or missing within the posting. If there are not enough parity files it never hurts to post asking for a repost of certain files...just be polite. The utility to use for the parity files is quickpar. There is another program called fsraid as well but it only works with the first generation of parity files, whereas quickpar will allow you to use any type. For more info see my sig for another link to slyck's excellent (if slightly outdated) guide to using newsgroups.

**Miniver** · April 27th, 2004, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by SlyckTom

10 bucks for 6 gigs

crap I go through more than 6 gigs in a day. Thank god for verizon's unlimited usage at no extra cost.

**Ken17625** · April 27th, 2004, 08:50 PM

I use Easynews.

It's expensive, but then again, I don't go through 6 gigs a day.

The retention, the number of carried groups, and the reliability is unparelled, in my opinion.

**muffenme** · April 28th, 2004, 05:45 AM

:fire

I don't like the pay extra for these news server because it come up too high for my budget. If I get it from my local ISP then I get but I giving up on newsgroup because my ISP must cencor what they put because I seen posting from last month on the newsgroup but most of the binaries are incomplete and it could be a few hours or days and they stay incomplete.

:hole

**crackerjacker** · April 28th, 2004, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by muffenme

:fire

I don't like the pay extra for these news server because it come up too high for my budget. If I get it from my local ISP then I get but I giving up on newsgroup because my ISP must cencor what they put because I seen posting from last month on the newsgroup but most of the binaries are incomplete and it could be a few hours or days and they stay incomplete.

:hole

muffin what internet provider your using?
I use verizon and have no problems with retention. They did remove some binary groups that I really didnt use.

I would opt for maybe paying for a dedicated news server.
I am thinking about it too. But right now I am pretty happy though with verizon although a payed service is much better.

**jon138** · April 28th, 2004, 12:02 PM

I must be lucky. My ISP (Charter) uses Supernews, and apart from the speed cap, I can't complain. The retention's great, and I never get any incomplete files unless it's due to a problem on the uploading end of things.

**fireforce555** · April 30th, 2004, 08:31 PM

HOLY SHIT! Usenetserver ROCKS! I am getting 470KB a sec. 3.7Mbit or so. I downloaded a 300MB movie in 21 mins and I am getting a 1.6GB movie in about an hour now. This was soooo worth the 14.95!

**Miniver** · April 30th, 2004, 08:44 PM

Isn't it though? The newsgroups are a dirty little secret that everybody knows. Yet no one tries to take them down. Just remember to give back to the community. And welcome...