Newzbin was one of the first – if not the first- Usenet indexing services. That was a long time ago and IIRC it was free back then but turned to a paysite eventually. The main achievement of the site operators was however the nzb format which made it a lot easier to download multiple files from the Usenet. Back then you had to select the files individually directly in the Usenet client (this option is still available obviously but using nzbs is a lot faster and more comfortable).
The nzb format changed that. It was basically a file that could be loaded into the newsreader which would then add the referenced files to the download queue. Very handy and probably the main starting point for all usenet indexing sites who now offer nzb downloads to their users.
If you visit the main site of the Usenet indexing service you are informed that Newzbin “has to close as a result of [..] legal action”.
The announcement links to a blog post that contains additional information about the case.
Things are moving fast at everyones favourite Usenet indexer Newzbin. A Newzbin Editor let slip some interesting gossip to me on IRC. Apparently Newzbin has been put into administration yesterday because it couldn’t pay its debts. Word is that they owe the MPA £230,000 just in interim costs, and that’s without a full costs ruling or a decision on damages. Apparently they also owe a software development house over £500k. They also stopped taking payments a few weeks back.
It seems that Newzbin is gone for good but the nzb file will remain and thrive as it did in the last years. Check out our list of Usenet indexing sites for alternatives.
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Newzbin is died but homie.in (http://www.homie.in) is still alive!
Just check out
http://usenetcompass.com/
Usenet Link List
Its Back! :-)