Usenet: briefly

[amalgam]

Go to this URL to get a quick read on Usenet, and a very popular Mac Usenet client:

Unison Usenet client

 

And get this URL in your bookmarks:

WebFAQ

 

It can answer almost anything you're gonna come up against.

 

WEB USENET ACCESS

 

Anybody with web access can also get Usenet files - that's the latest feature some Usenet providers are offering.

And, most offer free trials, so if there's something you just saw on insanelymac and need to get it, thats a good way to go.

Easynews Web based Usenet

 

One tiny problem with files downloaded from a Usenet newsgroup like alt.binaries.mac.applications:

If the poster of the files used a Mac client, they will have a protective "Macbinary" wrapper on them, which will need to be removed. Those files will be instantly recognizable, as they will have the extension ".bin" added to them. This isn't the case when using a Windows/Linux client.

 

Simple fix, any recent version of Stuffit (this works whether you're using a Mac or Windows computer) has a feature to let you drag a bunch of files onto it's Drag & Drop Window. It immediately strips the wrapper(s) off, depositing a new set of files alongside the originals, sans the .bin extension, and the macbinary encoding.

 

TRADITIONAL USENET ACCESS

 

Web access is by far the simplest, but it's also the most limited in what you can do. Using a traditional client and high quality provider, you can sort, filter, search, post.........many other possibilities too.

 

You'll need access to those Usenet groups first! Many ISPs offer a little/some/complete Usenet newsgroups - check and find out.

 

Don't have that offered by your ISP? Then you'll need to pay for that service to a NSP (newsgroup service provider). And it is as low as $3.00 a month.

 

As before, many NSPs offer free trials. Popular ones include:

EasyNews

UseNetServer

 

And, you'll need a client.

 

For Mac users, a very popular client is Unison:

Unison Usenet client

 

and for Windows, the ever popular Forte Agent:

Forte Agent

 

Once either client is installed, getting files is fairly straightfoward:

1. Your NSP will provide you with a username/password, and the details for the server you will connect to.

 

2. You will also have to fill out some information about who you are - when you get to the e-mail address thing - use a fake one! Unless of course, you really enjoy SPAM!

 

3. Once connected to the server and logged in, you'll need to retrieve a list of available newsgroups (don't fret, even the least among providers will have the binary groups you'll be interested in, trust me).

 

Once that list of newsgroups is downloaded, pick the one that has those important files, and "Retrieve headers".

 

........and you're good to go.

 

Please read the webFAQ, it's the easiest way to get up to speed, and avoid p*ssing off the all the current users.

 

I'm willing to answer questions here (don't know if there will be any).This is just to answer the most basic "how do I", and there is a wealth of options, just like bittorrent for providers, clients, tricks etc. I had some members pm me about Usenet, and thought this would be easiest

 

Final note: There are far more files, with far better bandwidth and completion on Usenet than bittorrent, emule, et all. And, when you are downloading, nobody is gonna know who you are (anonymity!).

 

Also note: The tolerance of Usenet users for "newbie" behavior is VERY LIMITED, they expect everyone to behave.

 

 

OK, carry on.

[asap18]

i suggest usenetmonster in which u get 5 gigs for 2.95 and get referral gigs if you refer someone.

[rick taylor]

www.newzbin.com makes finding binaries a lot easier. It's like a bittorrent tracker for newsgroups. It's not free, but it's well worth £2 a week or whatever it is.

[asap18]

yeah newzbin is great. Im glad i got in before registrations closed.