VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

Been with NTL for six years or so, speed integrity has always been an issue but downloading via newsgroups compensated somewhat, now however it seems VM have denied access to alt.binaries newsgroups which I used with Grabit.

I had to change my VM package approx 6 weeks a go, part of this included signing up for another 12 months, VM didn't advise at the time any change towards alt.binaries so I was happy to carry on as "normal"

Now I'm on a sticky wicket, no alt.binaries and stuck with VM for another 10 months - can any news reader beside Grabit give me access to alt.binaries or is that it?

I'd love to jump ship to another ISP but don't want to cough £250 as penalty?

We also have the TV and phone with VM, XL package?

Advice appreciated, thanks.

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

so go for either giganews or any of the other better newsgroup providers :)

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

Are you sure it's not just the change to News Servers as mentioned here.

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

I thought VM nee NTL stopped alt.binaries access years ago. Even if they didn't I can't see rentention and completion being particularly high. And are you sure you want to download alt.binaries from your ISP? Makes it nice and easy for them to work out what you're downloading.

I'd recommend a proper newsgroup server.

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

I went through Grabit because it's free, Giganews isn't, also won't my ISP see what's being downloaded through my IP, the high bandwidth will be a give away even if with Giganews?? I downloaded through news.ntlworld.com for 5 years with no problems, until now.

So the answer is to pay for a proper newsgroup then?

How much per month, and what's the best out there?

Thanks to all so far, much appreciated.

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

http://www.giganews.com is the best out there.

200 day retention...around £12/month

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

The servers have changed as mentioned above...

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

Yep logged in and downloading as i type. :)

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

Grabit works fine on alt.binaries

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

Grabit is a usenet application, Giganews is a usenet server. One connects to the other but both are completely different.
You can use Grabit with any news server, including as you have been, Virgin's.
On the server name in Grabit above your groups list, right click, select server properties and change the server name under Hostname to news.virginmedia.com . Then right click again and refresh grouplist. All the binary groups are there with much better retention and completeness.

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

I use Newsdemon I've found them to be far better than NewsHosting. (I always get downloads at 2.3mbps) and the VM news very rarely kicks in.

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

http://www.powerusenet.com is what I use. It's a giganews reseller but has a cheaper unlimited 6 streams package for $14.99 with 105 days retention. I can max out my 10Mb connection with it.

Kymmy

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

grabit & nzb works best for me with giganews servers

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

I use http://www.hitnews.eu/english/

3 months costs 13 euro (£10). When you use the coupon code DED32 (expires june 1st). You can even share your account with a friend on it..

I allways max out my 20mbit on them, will be intresting to see if they can cope with 50mbit if we ever get it :)

Also grabit is rubbish, takes FAR too long to decode files. Check out this: http://www.altbinz.net/

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

and if you do a group search its very interesting to find certain binary groups that were not there before

807 binary groups on the new virgin server

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

Probably because Highwinds are providing the feed in Amsterdam, coincidentally the same provider EasyNews use...^_^

Just did a quick check on boneless, the biggest group on both servers, there's 217 million articles on VM and 40 million on EasyNews' Euro server. Make of that what you will.. Seems like an error somewhere and I'm not downloading all those headers to find out.

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

So VM have not stopped access to alt.binaries newsgroups then:rolleyes: You just haven't changed your newsgroup server name:D

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

easynews nntp server was always crap

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

More than that, you need to delete you old accounts and start new ones on news.virginmedia.com as the article numbers are different.

Once done - it works fine (which is quite amazing considering its Highwinds).

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

same as horrorwood, hitnews and altbinz even has ssl for no extra 100+ retention

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

yeah they changed the newsgroup server - i have to say the new one is a lot better.

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

rather than downloading all the headers, I use binsearch.net which enables you to create nzb files for your downloads.

Re: VM stop alt.binaries newsgroups?
 

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