This post is also available in: 
Nederlands (Dutch)
Downloading software with Usenet: it’s quick and an interesting alternative to downloading from the regular internet. After all, Usenet can be called an alternative. It’s a different system, with a focus on sharing (bigger) files. There’s a big market for software, just like movies and music.
Interested in download video games? You can download these using Usenet, just like you can download any other software. Despite the maximum file size, it’s still the quickest way to download large files. Of course, you will need to have a few things to get started with Usenet. We have listed them below:
- Access to newsgroups
Available for free as well as for a fixed price, at your own internet service provider or at specialised Usenet provider respectively. - Suitable download software (newsreader)
Next, you will need a suitable download programme, also called a newsreader. Using the software, you can connect to the news servers, so you can see whatever software is available online. - NZB file with all file pieces (obtained via an NZB site)
Tenslotte heb je een NZB-bestanden nodig van het programma dat je wilt downloaden. Daarmee zorg je ervoor dat het downloadprogramma uit de vorige stap aan de slag kan.
Access to newsgroups
Usenet can be seen as an alternative to the regular internet. To get started, you need to have access to the Usenet newsgroups. The best way to gain access to newsgroups is through a subscription with a specialized Usenet provider. These specialists purely focus on offering access to the a vast server network which hosts the newsgroups, in exchange for a fixed (low) monthly fee. You can choose from subscriptions with and without a data limit. Pay attention to the maximum number of simultaneous connections and the maximum download speed.
Some examples of good providers are Tweaknews, Easynews and Newshosting. You can use these to get access to the news servers, so you can download software with Usenet. Next, we recommend to download a newsreader. This software enables you to actually connect to the newsgroups you are subscribed to.
Download software: the newsreader
As soon as you have an account and access to the newsgroups, you can use a download program to connect to the newsgroup. This is what we call a newsreader – an essential part to downloading games or software via Usenet.
You can choose from various download software, but one of the most well-known programs is SABnzbd (http://www.sabnzbd.org/). You can download the software online, and subsequently use it on your computer. You will be able to login with the username and password of your news server account. SABnzbD can be used for free, so you won’t need to pay for that as well in addition to the newsreader subscription. The software is available for both Windows, Mac OS and Linux, so you’ll be able to use it regardless of your operating system.
Once the software is installed, you will need to configure it. Start configuring the program by opening the software (in your web browser) and choosing your preferred language. Next, a Wizard will appear. Use the Wizard to setup the server name, port number, username, password and the number of connections. These details can be obtained from the Usenet provider where you subscribed. If needed, have a look at our detailed explanation on how to configure SABnzbd.
Once your newsreader has been configured correctly, you can continue with the next step. You will now need to find the NZB file corresponding to the software you would like to download with Usenet.
Finding NZB files with NZBindex or Spotlite
Usenet applies a maximum file size, but, unfortunately, most software you would want to download exceeds the file size limit of Usenet. Usenet is know for fragmenting files; programs and games will be split up in multiple pieces which are stored on the Usenet servers separately. In the ealier days, you had to search for these pieces yourself, but times have changed (luckily!).
Nowadays, you can use a so-called NZB file. These files contain links to the different parts of the programme you are looking to download. It works like a regular search engine, that will locate the file pieces for you. Visit NZBindex or Binsearch in order to find the NZB file which will point you to your eventual download. Alternatively, you can use Spotlite.
With the combination of Spotlite and SABnzbd , you can look for the software or games you want to download through Usenet. Keep in mind that some file names can be a little cryptic. We recommend you to pay extra attention to the files you want to download and keep an eye on the download folder they end up in.
Leave a Reply