I have five.

  • @Zanathos
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    1 month ago

    About 3 years ago I got tired of stuck torrent queues and spent a few hours learning what Usenet is and it’s various components. A little learning curve compared to torrents, but very comparable in the end. The only major difference is having to pay for a Usenet provider VPN and potentially subscribing to Usenet boards for membership.

    I bought a yearly sub to a provider and lifetime sub to a very well know board. I justify the cost as money that would be wasted on a subscription service, except half the yearly cost. Usenet is now the primary download in my arr stack with torrent as a backup.

    In my experience Usenet performs much faster than torrent, and there’s no seeding requirement at all. Just grab and go. And it seems to have about 90% of what I’m looking for, from anime to old shows\movies (1950s to 20XX).

    • @BigPotato
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      91 month ago

      I’ve tried a few times to really wrap my head around Usenet and I’ve got a couple of bookmarked tabs but… Man, I even had trouble setting up the arrs. My brain might be a bit too smooth these days.

      • @Zanathos
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        228 days ago

        The arr setup is confusing at first, but once you get one the rest are lock-step. I suggest checking out prowlarr which will simplify your indexer setup on the arrs. I’m sure there’s a YouTube around that you can follow along too. Don’t give up!

    • @hogmomma
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      31 month ago

      I was introduced to Block News a number of years ago, myself. I have since switched to an unlimited account. Usenet has absolutely transformed how I pirate. Once it’s set up, it’s so much easier, quicker, and safer.

      • @Zanathos
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        28 days ago

        Agree. I’ll need to check out Block News and see if they have any lifetime sales around the holidays. I bought a lifetime for my current board a few years ago for half price. Well worth it!

        • @hogmomma
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          128 days ago

          I’ve seen indexers offer lifetime deals, but not Usenet providers. Best of luck!

          • @Zanathos
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            128 days ago

            Doh, that’s what I meant. I have an indexer lifetime, not provider.

    • thermal_shock
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      31 month ago

      I’m on Usenet too mostly. sometimes easier to get a torrent for a whole series.

    • @daggermoon
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      21 month ago

      I thought usenet was a message board from the '90s.

      • @Zanathos
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        128 days ago

        Technically still is the same usenet, now with more content!

        • @daggermoon
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          128 days ago

          How does one go about entering the exciting world of usenet?

    • @Jayb151
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      21 month ago

      Is Usenet something that’s available for free? I’ve sailed the high seas for decades, but never gotten into Usenet

      • @Zanathos
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        28 days ago

        It may have been at one time but you now need to pay for a VPN or “Usenet provider” to connect to them. I pay yearly $70 for my Usenet provider and another $70 for my private VPN for torrents. There was a one time cost to my board of $100, but it’s a lifetime pass I got on 50% sale during the holidays. Both would equate to roughly one year of a single subscription service if you wanted to dock your boat on a single island.