Thread: Torrents vs Usenet

Originally Posted by Brenden

NZBs.org is actually quite organized and displays the same filenames as the torrent sites do. Ultimately I need to decide if I'd rather have usenet or a seedbox as they are approx the same price and I can't afford both.

It is tough, but remember Astraweb special is just $11/month. It has over 2 years of retention and US/UK servers. Usenetserver isn't as reliable and not as good retention. My 300GB seedbox is costing me $30/month which isn't worth it in the bigger picture. There are cheaper seedboxes but they are unreliable/too over loaded (ie: feral). In fact, this is my last month with seedbox's and I'm done.

Granted I've been using usenet for years so it only takes me 10 seconds to find something I want. I only download scene releases so just type the folder name of the release. If no results then try again but this time with the filename. Since you probably don't have access to a good pre channel, I would just use a popular 0-day tracker, one where you can view the filenames so that you can use it for your usenet searches. I have a friend that uses IPT just for this sole reason.

In fact, pretty much every console (Wii, Xbox 360, PC games from last 6 years) is on usenet right now. ABGX.net is your single source for console games. On top of that, 99% of popular english scene releases are on usenet from the last 3 years. All top blockbuster movies are also on usenet from the last 10-12 years.

The only thing usenet is lacking on is older rare anime series, older trance/spanish music especially in lossless and a few 1080P x264 flicks. Also, for some self-help eLearning books/audiobooks. That is the only reason I use SceneHD (older 1080P Scene flicks), What (odd music, only downloaded 300MB here and I have 180GB buffer), ThePlace.bz and BiteMe. In fact, I have only downloaded about 150GB worth of torrents since October 2010 (this is when I started using torrents) and then for usenet I've snagged 3TB in same timeframe.

I would stick with Usenet as primary and few niche trackers as secondary in case you can't find it on usenet.

I think most give up on usenet because they don't take the time to learn how to use it properly. Yes, it is a bigger learning curve but I have taught all of my friends even my sisters/GF who don't even know how to install a program to use newsgroups perfectly. Although nzbs.org is the best indexer, there are many alternatives if you google around if you really don't want to do manual searches.

Edit: Also, pretty much every modern TV show is on usenet too, full series. I've never had a problem of not being able to find a show I want. Although, if your into WEB-DL then I would stick with BTN for that. Also, note that there is no single complete sources for warez. I use usenet primarily, then FTP's and if I can't find it on those two then I resort to torrents. Other serious downloaders I know (mainly hoarders) use DC++, Torrents, Usenet, FTP and those sites like rapidshare/megaupload etc. Check out the estimates of how much data is stored in some of the top groups: http://binsearch.info/groupinfo.php Far more then any single tracker, and not having to worry if there are any fast seeders.

I guess I am a usenet fanboy. :c)

usenet is awesome especially when it's provided by your isp but even if it's not then it's still fairly priced & well worth it. IMO usenet is MUCH better than torrents. max connection 24-7 no worries about seeders or ratio's. I'm shocked that nobody has mentioned nzbmatrix, it's clearly the best nzb/indexing site. There is no comparison i even bought a lifetime VIP it's only £7 but you don't need to buy VIP you can use it for free. Coming in second is nzbsrus it's also a great site. i signed up for nzbsdotorg & barely used it, it's nothing special at all.

If you're using usenet you gotta use nzbmatrix with nzbsrus also & you will no doubt fall in love with usenet. A good provider is vital especially retention rate otherwise you will run into problems like files missing etc astraweb seems the best they have a great retention rate & altbinz is the best program imo to download. A great tracker in combination with usenet & you're set. par files are an amazing invention & god bless who ever created that idea.