Today is the second day of the Ghacks Christmas Giveaway and I’m really excited about the event so far. The Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 offer received hundreds of comments and the lucky winners will be notified today. Please make sure to spread the word about the event so that it will be a success for everyone.
Today’s giveaway is one of the few software products that I have bought. I usually rely on free software but this one is in my opinion the best of its kind. Newsbin Pro is a binary newsreader. It handles downloads from the Usenet. I really do not want to get into details about the Usenet in this thread, only this much: You do need access to a Usenet server to work with Newsbin Pro. One reliable (and many say the best) Usenet provider is Giganews which I use for several years as well.
The Newsbin Pro client has been developed over years and several useful features have been added to it. But first things first. If you start the Usenet client for the first time you have to add a Usenet server and some groups of that server to the client. The useful options begin right at this stage by providing SSL support, slave and fill servers and header compression. The maximum amount of connections can be configured during server setup as well.
Groups can be added in the Groups > Add Groups menu. The client will download all groups available on the server and provides filters to find the desired groups easily.
The interface can be customized beyond what is usually possible. All window elements can be positioned for maximum screen estate. Newsbin Pro uses tabs to display the additional data. The bottom window can for instance contain the download queue, downloaded files, failed files, status, thumbnails (if you are downloading images) and more. That’s very efficient because everything is accessible in the main interface.
Newsbin Pro provides access to several features that reduce the work of the user. It includes for example automatic rar and par processing, split-file processing, automatic header updates, extensive options to sort downloads into folders, support of mp3 id3v2 tags, an image viewer and download prioritization.
It obviously supports the common features of Usenet clients like nzb integration, speed limits, extensive filters and ban options.
Support is fast and good. I did encounter problems after moving from one computer to another but they were quickly solved by the support team and the crowded forum. Linux users will be happy to know that the forum has a Linux section as the client is apparently running fine under Wine. Windows users with 32-bit or 64-bit editions of 2000, XP or Vista will also be able to run the software.
Five licenses for Newsbin Pro are up for grabs. All you need to do is reply in the comments. It would be nice if you would mention your current Usenet provider and client that you are using and what you think of them.
Update: The guys at Giganews spotted the post and are sponsoring five one month Diamond accounts. These accounts will be given to five additional users who commented on the thread.. Please note that you need to signup at Giganews and mail me their Giganews username which I pass on to make sure that they do not pay for the first month (there is no obligation to after that month). You should also note that you need to be at least 18 years of age to signup for the account.
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I also use this tool for some years with giganews. I simply love it.
Was worth all the money
Nice one. In please. :)
Hi, I’m already using newsbin (on usenetserver), but I was hoping to get one for a relative. I’ve been pleased with newsbin and UNS does the job as well.
Here’s hoping I win.
mulletoi
good prog.>
Today is my birthday. Martin, could I have a Newsbin Pro key, please? It would be a great birthday gift for me. Thank you.
second try :)
I used Newsbin a few years ago before the advent of Bit Torrent. It’s kinda cool to see it still alive and well. I’m probably going to start using newsgroups again since I’m moving out of the US.
I’ve used Newsbin for many years now with Giganews. Love all the updates for Newsbin even if I don’t always see any difference. Giganews is the BEST. Tried a few other Usenet services a couple of months ago but there was no comparison. Hope they both live long and prosper :-)
One of the most useful programs on my computer. I use it daily to make my life easier.
I used to use Newsbin a lot too years ago. Amazing to see it’s still going. *jumps up and down* Pick me, pick me!
The last time I dealt with usenet was more then 8 years ago, in a time of old, good modem connection . On that time, each minute spent using the internet was really expensive. ;)
I have agent, but that’s more suitable for text groups than binaries, really. The server I use is usenetserver.com. Long retention, fast connection, and little to no problems with completeness.
interesting prize
Nice!!!
I got away from usenet with the advent of torrents, but maybe this will bring me back into the fold… assuming news.verizon.net is any good…
I have been using usenet since early 1990. I have tested almost all different usenet programs under different platforms: but newzbin is simply the best. Only reason why I still run a windows machine instead of compleatly switching to mac.
What makes newsbin so unique is its unrar/autopar and duplicate detection system. Have not seen any other usenet cliet handle it so ellegant.
Newsbin is by far the best in its class and the last stop after having used Forte Agent and XNews for years. Autopar/unrar is crucial. I’ve been a member of Easynews usenet provider for over 7 years and love the service.
I think Newsbin rocks!!! Best there is and always will be.
Need a win Please!
My first experience with Usenet was with a Mac and I had always opted for the always free but buggy multi-threaded newsreader. When I moved to a PC I felt like a fish out of water and found Xnews which worked similarly but didn’t support multi-threading in the same way. Thank goodness for NewsbinPro. This piece of software is the genuine article (no pun intended or was it???)
NewsbinPro is simply the best tool out there, especially with the search function which makes it possible for someone to never have to download headers which can be memory and disc consuming. Combine that with Giganews and you’re set. Giganews has been a solid provider for me now going 10 years and their dedication to service is simply unmatched in my opinion. So I’d love to win a code so I can get a buddy of mine set up who has been itchin’ to find out the greatness of Usenet.
Cheers.
I also want to try out newsbin pro! :-) thanks for yesterday’s kis.
I have been using giganews for a couple of years and love the 20 ssl connections and retention!
I’m currently using Giganews with a trial of Newsbin – on loading it up today it let me know of this giveaway offer!
I’ve had no problems with Newsbin, very easy to install, configure and use; and will probably buy it when my trial ends, assuming that I don’t win a copy here of course!
Giganews is without doubt the best usenet provider – it’s the gold standard which every other provider is measured against.
I use NewsbinPro each day, for it has left the others in the dust.
I just started using newsbin pro. with thundernews servers. great newsgroup reader/downloader. It really is a great piece of software. I wish I can get a key for it.
I enjoy the betas of NEWSBIN, never a dull moment… esp when it builds up a 2gb swap file on my laptop…lol. Put me down for another key :)!
Newsbin Pro is the best binary newsreader. I tested out a number of them years ago and it’s the only one I’ve found that always works, and is constantly updated to handle any issues that come up.
thanks for the review on newsbin, it is by far the best usenet download program that I have encountered, and it’s user interface makes it easy to configure. I use Newsguy and Easynews as my usenet providers… It’s great!
I use Newsbin Pro and Giganews from few years and they together with Newzbin for NZB indexes make a wonderful combination for Usenet lovers.
I have a bad taste in my mouth with Rapidshare limitations. I have already begun looking into Newsbin and Giganews because of friends who already use them and recommended them. Thanks!