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Thread: wondering

  1. #1
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    still listed as member been about years but not post ed on forums much, grabbed many nzbs over the years have looke at the forums but fnd all this indexing,trackers, trding and inits a little confusing
    hoping your a friendly bunch around here n could give me some advise currently usin astraweb so really need to be fast regards grabbing anything as it is gone for me in hrs.

    is there a better way? thx in advance.

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    stryk's Avatar Poster
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    Quote Originally Posted by dazzer12 View Post
    hI
    all

    still listed as member been about years but not post ed on forums much, grabbed many nzbs over the years have looke at the forums but fnd all this indexing,trackers, trding and inits a little confusing
    hoping your a friendly bunch around here n could give me some advise currently usin astraweb so really need to be fast regards grabbing anything as it is gone for me in hrs.

    is there a better way? thx in advance.
    [I can only speak for Usenet, I know nothing of torrents]

    Hi, I was using Astra for the longest time, and they used to be #1 -- but these last few months their service has really gone down the shitter. Which sucks cause they were cheap (I signed up way back when they were doing an $11/month unlimited special through some porn forum in the Netherlands) and FAST.

    My first suggestion to you would be to ditch Astra. I did very recently, and I'm glad.

    Second - Check for posts once or twice per day, that way if anything is put up that might interest you then you have an opportunity to grab it. Kind of common sense but it's something I do that works out.

    Personally, I like to check manually for posts, I stopped using auto-indexers/sickbeard/etc. This board is pretty good for that because it's manually updated rather than a newznab auto-generator deal. Which means, chances are if an NZB is posted then at least one person has already downloaded it and has verified the contents (not always the case 100% of the time, but more often than not I've found).

    Anyway that's kinda how I do things, hope this helps a little. Any other questions feel free to ask.

  3. Newsgroups   -   #3
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    [QUOTE=stryk;3761485]
    Quote Originally Posted by dazzer12 View Post
    hI
    (I signed up way back when they were doing an $11/month unlimited special through some porn forum in the Netherlands) and FAST.

    My first suggestion to you would be to ditch Astra. I did very recently, and I'm glad.

    Second - Check for posts once or twice per day, that way if anything is put up that might interest you then you have an opportunity to grab it. Kind of common sense but it's something I do that works out.

    Personally, I like to check manually for posts, I stopped using auto-indexers/sickbeard/etc.
    I kind of disagree with you. First of all you could get Astraweb for $7.50/month http://www.news.astraweb.com/specials/2mospecial.html and auto-downloading seems to be the best way to be sure you get things if they're taken down quickly. Also, I've found Astraweb's European server keeps things longer than most of the competition. Unfortunately, newsreaders like Altbinz now seem to have a problem using two servers at once, for some reason. Also, there are some things on torrents that aren't on Usenet, so why not try both. This private tracker isn't elite by any means, but it looks useful in the event something has been taken down on Usenet. https://opentrackers.org/thecafe/

  4. Newsgroups   -   #4
    stryk's Avatar Poster
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    [QUOTE=justlooking;3761628]
    Quote Originally Posted by stryk View Post

    I kind of disagree with you. First of all you could get Astraweb for $7.50/month http://www.news.astraweb.com/specials/2mospecial.html and auto-downloading seems to be the best way to be sure you get things if they're taken down quickly. Also, I've found Astraweb's European server keeps things longer than most of the competition. Unfortunately, newsreaders like Altbinz now seem to have a problem using two servers at once, for some reason. Also, there are some things on torrents that aren't on Usenet, so why not try both. This private tracker isn't elite by any means, but it looks useful in the event something has been taken down on Usenet. https://opentrackers.org/thecafe/
    I wasn't trying to imply that torrents were somehow inferior, or in any way "not as good" -- I just meant to say that I have virtually zero experience with them in a long time, so I couldn't speak with any authority or knowledge about them. Whatever works for people is cool, it doesn't really matter which protocol you use right? As long as you get what you're after.

    I used to use Alt.Binz as a client, and I ran into the exact multi-server issues you mentioned. I switched over to the python-based SABNZBd and it took care of all that, and runs like a champ with virtually zero problems. Plus there are some nice browser plug-ins for Chrome and Firefox that integrate in with the client very well. I quite like it.

    I did a sickbeard config and tied it in with SAB and it worked quite well for a while (although I don't download all that many TV shows). Then it all went haywire and I went back to just manually searching/checking, and that's what works best for me. If you can get it setup the way you like and get it working to your liking - hey more power to ya, rock on. Manual is just what works for me, personally. Sorry if it sounded like I was saying *not* to use it or anything like that, that's not what I meant at all.

    As for Astra - sorry, but they just aren't nearly as good as they used to be. I've tried almost all of the different server companies and I actually found Astra to be on the lower end of the list now (in terms of stuff staying around & complete for any length of time, their bandwidth speeds are still great), which sucks - they used to provide an awesome service for a very reasonable price. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone today.
    Last edited by stryk; 03-21-2015 at 07:45 PM. Reason: turns out SAB is written in python, not perl. my bad

  5. Newsgroups   -   #5
    thx a lot guys, manual is pretty much how I do it and I agree checking once or twice a day is best but lately I have so much on by the time I get to check anything I find I want has already gone.
    I used to use giganews but cant justify the cost for the amount of stuff I do grab and now find myself searching torrent sites to find what disappeared from usenet, so I was wondering if an invite to ahalf decent site would be useful although I have no idea how to go about it.

    how would I go about auto downloading stuff on astraweb via sabnzb all seemed so much eaier when I was younger.
    Last edited by dazzer12; 03-21-2015 at 11:26 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  6. Newsgroups   -   #6
    stryk's Avatar Poster
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    Quote Originally Posted by dazzer12 View Post
    thx a lot guys, manual is pretty much how I do it and I agree checking once or twice a day is best but lately I have so much on by the time I get to check anything I find I want has already gone.
    I used to use giganews but cant justify the cost for the amount of stuff I do grab and now find myself searching torrent sites to find what disappeared from usenet, so I was wondering if an invite to ahalf decent site would be useful although I have no idea how to go about it.

    how would I go about auto downloading stuff on astraweb via sabnzb all seemed so much eaier when I was younger.
    Once you get sabnzbd set up (it's a free, open-source program), download a program called "sickbeard" and configure it to work with your sabnzbd setup and your usenet server. Then just tell it which shows you're interested in auto-grabbing and it pretty much does the rest for you.

    SABnzbd: http://sabnzbd.org/
    sickbeard: http://sickbeard.com/

    There are install & setup tutorials on both their sites that are pretty straight forward and easy to follow.

  7. Newsgroups   -   #7
    shaina's Avatar Poster
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    [QUOTE=stryk;3761645]
    Quote Originally Posted by justlooking View Post

    I wasn't trying to imply that torrents were somehow inferior, or in any way "not as good" -- I just meant to say that I have virtually zero experience with them in a long time, so I couldn't speak with any authority or knowledge about them. Whatever works for people is cool, it doesn't really matter which protocol you use right? As long as you get what you're after.

    I used to use Alt.Binz as a client, and I ran into the exact multi-server issues you mentioned. I switched over to the python-based SABNZBd and it took care of all that, and runs like a champ with virtually zero problems. Plus there are some nice browser plug-ins for Chrome and Firefox that integrate in with the client very well. I quite like it.

    I did a sickbeard config and tied it in with SAB and it worked quite well for a while (although I don't download all that many TV shows). Then it all went haywire and I went back to just manually searching/checking, and that's what works best for me. If you can get it setup the way you like and get it working to your liking - hey more power to ya, rock on. Manual is just what works for me, personally. Sorry if it sounded like I was saying *not* to use it or anything like that, that's not what I meant at all.

    As for Astra - sorry, but they just aren't nearly as good as they used to be. I've tried almost all of the different server companies and I actually found Astra to be on the lower end of the list now (in terms of stuff staying around & complete for any length of time, their bandwidth speeds are still great), which sucks - they used to provide an awesome service for a very reasonable price. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone today.
    This is interesting .....
    I use altbinz and switch servers manually, because I also use giganews there is the odd takedown if I miss downloading for a few days. So I do use another off-shore provider, but I have to switch them manually. Are you telling me that Sabnzb automatically switches the different newsgroup providers to retrieve the files you want??
    Also another question?? I don't use sick beard ,or couch potato, to be honest I am still old school I use quick par and WinRAR.
    and I do just to make sure when these files are extracted I don't include those links (.exe files) and crap they include in some of the uploads, so if you are using a automatic type download system how does it recognize spam and other crap???
    I also see a lot of the latest uploads to be more secret coded in the names, so they are harder to spot for the quick takedowns
    How do those programs know what they are downloading automatically??? Is there settings to prevent it??
    Last edited by shaina; 03-23-2015 at 11:27 AM.

  8. Newsgroups   -   #8
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    There are two ways to 'avoid' disappearances (and they both rely on the poster):

    A. play the 'quick to get' game, i.e., sickbeard et. al.; of course, the poster needs to be consistent with the naming convention.

    B. posting name obfuscation; virtually unlimited in the ways this can work.

    Any decent downloading or newsreader program (sabnzbd is a downloader) can be set up with multiple accounts, and will automatically go from one server to another to pick up any missing parts (again, it's how you set it up to do so).

    Of course, 'A' and 'B' can be used together, again however the poster needs to be consistent as to the naming convention they use so that when folks set up 'sickbeard' or whatever, that it gets what you want. Most posters seem to simply name the names as 'in the clear' as possible and figure that it will 'disappear' in the x hours it takes to be 'discovered' and whacked (and that it will take longer to do so, depending upon where the server is located and such), and that the 'intended recipients' will have accounts at those 'slower' servers, or simply have their 'apparatus' running 24/7 so that even if the 'discovery' is quick on it's feet, it won't make any difference.

    Bleh. I use 'B' exclusively.
    Last edited by Beck38; 03-23-2015 at 09:35 PM.

  9. Newsgroups   -   #9
    shaina's Avatar Poster
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beck38 View Post
    There are two ways to 'avoid' disappearances (and they both rely on the poster):

    A. play the 'quick to get' game, i.e., sickbeard et. al.; of course, the poster needs to be consistent with the naming convention.

    B. posting name obfuscation; virtually unlimited in the ways this can work.

    Any decent downloading or newsreader program (sabnzbd is a downloader) can be set up with multiple accounts, and will automatically go from one server to another to pick up any missing parts (again, it's how you set it up to do so).

    Of course, 'A' and 'B' can be used together, again however the poster needs to be consistent as to the naming convention they use so that when folks set up 'sickbeard' or whatever, that it gets what you want. Most posters seem to simply name the names as 'in the clear' as possible and figure that it will 'disappear' in the x hours it takes to be 'discovered' and whacked (and that it will take longer to do so, depending upon where the server is located and such), and that the 'intended recipients' will have accounts at those 'slower' servers, or simply have their 'apparatus' running 24/7 so that even if the 'discovery' is quick on it's feet, it won't make any difference.

    Bleh. I use 'B' exclusively.
    Yes and I understand and agree with most of what you are saying, but when I started with newsgroups I used xnews, and manually searched for everything (all those bloody headers, told you dinosaur I am) then nzbs came to fashion and at the time you had grabbit or altbinz (and I use the free altbinz not the subscriber one still) that was the big choice , so with altbinz I belong to multiple newsgoup providers, and I haven't figured out a way that it switches providers automaticly ,in other words if I start downloading files and I see nothing coming in (just blank in the folder). Even if I have both providers checked off it does not recognize which provider does have all the files and automaticly download them, I have to uncheck one in the settings re-apply the nzb and then the files start coming in.
    I tried sanzb for a couple of days and I didn't notice any difference other than it is internet based, and no speed changes on the downloads ,nor did it automatically change providers to find the files I was downloading

    And now on the second note the files names now are so far out there , they are not even close to the name of the movie or tv show (especially hbo shows), to hide the speedy takedowns I would imagine , but I am relying on the paid nzb sites I belong to and this great site to provide me the nzb to download what I am looking for. And to save me the time of downloading old school way with manual headers and xnews.
    So if you use couch potato, or any of those similar new programs,(and I assume these find the files you are looking for automatically), what are you naming in the search for it to locate a movie or tv show, when you will have no idea what the files are really called , unless someone is doing the dirty work and downloading headers and finding what was uploaded.
    That's what puzzles me???
    Thank you for you knowledge and feedback
    Last edited by shaina; 03-24-2015 at 12:02 AM.

  10. Newsgroups   -   #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by shaina View Post
    I tried sanzb for a couple of days and I didn't notice any difference other than it is internet based, and no speed changes on the downloads ,nor did it automatically change providers to find the files I was downloading
    Apparently you didn't look too far into the setup (for sabnzbd), as it has the ability to do just about as many servers as one would want, and to 'toggle' which ones are either 'primary' or 'fills'.


    Quote Originally Posted by shaina View Post
    And now on the second note the files names now are so far out there , they are not even close to the name of the movie or tv show (especially hbo shows), to hide the speedy takedowns I would imagine , but I am relying on the paid nzb sites I belong to and this great site to provide me the nzb to download what I am looking for. And to save me the time of downloading old school way with manual headers and xnews.
    So if you use couch potato, or any of those similar new programs,(and I assume these find the files you are looking for automatically), what are you naming in the search for it to locate a movie or tv show, when you will have no idea what the files are really called , unless someone is doing the dirty work and downloading headers and finding what was uploaded.
    That's what puzzles me???
    Thank you for you knowledge and feedback
    A lot of 'stuff' is 'private web site' oriented, and in the majority of cases 'joining' (i.e. paying) is the only way to get the 'keys' to 'unlock' the obfuscation and/or passwords. It's been a long time since I spent time figuring out the percentage of usenet binary traffic that is so locked up, but I'm sure it's well over 50%; how much of that is 'paid' participation is, again, a really good question.

    A lot (if not most) of these folks who are trying to get usenet to pay for their living style do post the nzb's to many of the semi-public newznab site (with the actual names and such), so they are generally over-run with that fare. If you are trying to use usenet to supplement your broadcast tv viewing, you need to find a site that caters to that (and the same with any other niche type programming, i.e., non-movies).

    But there are a lot of non-obfuscated postings out there, and a goodly amount of ones with minor scrambling (of sorts, easy to figure out). I've always been a proponent of posting an nfo 'in the clear', even if the actual nzb/binaries are 'cloaked' in some manner, with that nfo having some sort of 'hint' back to the posting. That way, the major search sites (nzbindex and binsearch) can 'hoover them up' and it only takes a bit of brain power to 'make the link'.
    Last edited by Beck38; 03-24-2015 at 12:32 AM.

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