Before we get into the nitty-gritty of choosing Usenet clients and providers, let’s cover some of the basics of Usenet. Usenet newsgroups have been around since pretty much the beginning of the Internet, as the very first online social network. Newsgroups are still active today because they are seen as a private and secure meeting ground for discussion, debate and shared interests. There are many different options for usenet clients, ranging from free, to cheap, to expensive, and come with a wide range of services and benefits. Programs known as newsreaders are used to read and post messages (individually known as articles or posts, and collectively termed news) to newsgroups. Newsreaders are also known as Clients. There are hundreds of these clients, so how do you decide which one to pick? Hopefully the following selections will guide you on your way to endless hours of content.
Easynews is arguably one of the better known and highly popular newsreaders. It provides a great search interface, file previews and has Usenet access included. This is one of the best overall packages to get as much as you can out of Usenet.
Newsbin Pro is another great pick. It is easy to use and has lots of great features, such as a multi-server function, and its header compression support can download headers up to ten times faster. The only drawback from this user-friendly newsreader is that it only operates on Windows.
SABnzbd is a great choice for mobile users, as it is a binary newsreader based in the cloud, meaning it can be used by any device through a browser connection. It operates in sixteen different languages, for all you polyglots out there! Arguably the best feature of SABnzbd is that it is open source, meaning it is completely free!
Pan Gnome newsreader is an honorable mention for experienced Usenet users that take their reading seriously. It has a classic newsreader interface and has an offline reading function. It is compatible with Linux and Windows.
Usenetserver.com is a service provider which allows access to 100,000 discussion groups to users all over the world. Within its subscription package it offers a VPN connection and SSL connection, along with high quality speedy access to your favourite newsgroups at competitive prices and unique membership packages.
You can upload, download, read and comment on files on the Usenet. How do you keep your identity anonymous? With the Usenet, a downloader is connected to a server, rather than to other users. This establishes a direct link between the user and the service provider. As a result, only that server knows the user’s identity and identifying details. Signing up to a plan which offers an SSL and VPN connection is also a good move if you want ultimate security and privacy while using the Usenet.
All in all, accessing the Usenet seems daunting, but is not much different from many of the social platforms that we now know and love in our online lines. Hopefully this article has helped you to understand the Usenet a little better and will help you to decide on providers and clients for your future newsgroups!
