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.

You may not search through many newsgroups at once for instance or search for files in a large list of groups. Usenet indexing sites try to aid users by offering a way to search the contents of many newsgroups at once. They index new posts that appear in the observed groups and offer web interfaces that users can use to search for files.

Most of these indexing sites support the nzb format which has all the information about the files that you want to download. If your newsreader supports nzb you simply double-click the file and all information about the files are automatically added to your download queue.

I know of some users who only work with nzb files and do not download headers anymore. We also have to distinguish between public, private and pay indexing services. While I wont talk about the private services at all I would like to point out that they are usually forums where users share their finds and uploads.

A short explanation for the terms “automatic content” and “user content”. Automatic content means that all new posts are indexed and can be searched on the site while user content means that users report new files and only those are added to the database.

Alt.Binaries.Nl (free, automatic content) – indexes more than 2700 popular newsgroups for 45 days. NZB’s can be generated as well. Great but Binsearch is better.
Binsearch.info (free, automatic content) – probably the best service. Keeps records of more than 6500 groups for 120 days. Advanced search options and the ability to download everything that you like as a nzb. My recommendation.
Newzbin.com (down) (paysite, user content) – one of the oldest indexing sites on the Internet. You may take a look at the releases but you can’t see the filenames nor download nzb’s without paying for the service.
Ngindex (paysite, automatic content) – Ngindex has a great interface, probably the best with many information about the newsgroups that they index. Offers nfo previews and more but is unfortunately a paysite.
Nzb.to (invite only) (free after registration, user content – a user driven website in German with an excellent active community. Lots of nzb files are posted everyday. Mainly interested for German speaking folks.
Nzbrus (free after registration, unknown) – I can’t really say much about the site because I did not register at it. Just wanted to make sure it is mentioned here.
Yabse (free, automatic content) – indexing posts for roughly 100 days. Allows the generation of nzb files.

There is also a program called NZB Leecher which is able to search several of the mentioned websites and create nzb’s automatically from the results.

NZB Leecher is a small freeware program that lets you search most of the well know newsgroup indexing sites at once. It displays the results in its window and you can immediately select them to download in your favorite newsreader. It queries all indexing sites and displays the results in tabs which makes it easy to switch between the various indexing sites for best results.

You may select the retention between 1 and 60 days, select some of the popular groups or a general category such as TV or Games. You have to provide username and password for some sites before NZB Leecher is able to query the site. The results are displayed fast and with all the information that are needed. If you want to download some files you have to mark them first and then select download selected from the right-click menu.

You do need a Usenet account if you want to download any files from newsgroups. I suggest Giganews, the reason is posted below this article but you are of course free to choose any service that you want.