keep reading about astraweb glitches and vs Usenetnow??

[Funkin']

Thanks for bringing up that Newsdemon block account, TC. Even with the $2 extra for SSL that's pretty cheap it looks like for 200GB. Astra charges $25 for 180GB. For paid services I've really only ever used Astra, and have always been happy with them. But maybe I'll give this Newsdemon package a try.

[cola]

Using the US primary and EU as backup (or vice versa depending on location) is only because sometimes one server will have missing articles that the other server won't have.

[sandman_1]

I have been using Astra over the years and other than a few speed hiccups, I haven't had any issues with getting a "complete" file and I don't even have a block account. There have been some instances where I had to do repairs but all were repairable. I use all 3 of Astra's SSL server addresses and spread my connections across all and maxes out my 30Mbps connection 99% of the time, even get 34Mbps sometimes. The most complaints I have seen have been about Astra's support and speed. Some people, apparently, have issues with speed, some get really bad speed drops to like under 100Kbps. I haven't experienced it but I have had it drop to around 10Mbps with my line for a little bit. All in all though, I am happy with the service and I have pulled articles from all kinds of date ranges including on the edge of their retention age.

My setup includes all 3 of their SSL server addresses + a free XSUsenet account, like a "block" account sort of. XSUsenet only has about half the retention as Astra though and it is only 1Mbps. It works fine with me; although getting a blocknews account, is also a good way to go too.

Good luck with whomever you decide to go with...

[Hypatia]

sandman_1

on the edge of their retention age.

well, the main complaint is not about the edge of their retention. I download stuff posted there at 6MB.
Its all about the "bad range" Files posted around 200 days ago +-100 days or so.

[sandman_1]

I didn't say it was.

[Hypatia]

It is really scary. =)

One of the first releases i grabbed from the link above:

swehd.fifa2011.wwc.qf.swe.vs.aus.x264, Completion: 80% 3323 of 4112 (US & EU )

We are still working on the completion issue within the ranged that you have mentioned. The missing files are still in the process of being recovered

<==== that was 18 january 2012



PS Btw Newsbin Pro has a nice feature now.
It can check if files are available on the servers.
And if you have "fill" servers active NB will try to fill missing parts from them.
So it gives a clear picture whether one will be able to download a particular release with all those backup servers active or not.
Its pretty neat

[cola]

Is that on the beta version? They had it in a previous beta, but then took it out. Hoped they'd bring it back.

[Hypatia]

Newsbin 6.30 Beta 3 has it(the last beta)

Though i suppose you could use for this purpose nzb download checker. Just check all the servers u want to be active
as for nzb completion checker it supports only one server setup

[hdjunky]

Thanks for bringing up that Newsdemon block account, TC. Even with the $2 extra for SSL that's pretty cheap it looks like for 200GB. Astra charges $25 for 180GB. For paid services I've really only ever used Astra, and have always been happy with them. But maybe I'll give this Newsdemon package a try.

Just be careful since it is highwinds you may need another backup account to fill in there holes. I read some people have there accounts showing the GBs expire after a year or even rebill so make sureyou double checkb your online account after sign up. Newsdemon likes to......promise the world and under deliver. Lol

[Funkin']

Oh really...I haven't been keeping up to date with other providers so I didn't know if Newsdemon was sketchy or not. Guess I'll just stick with what I'm used to and don't have problems with. Thanks for the info.

Unless there are any other good providers that offer similar sized block accounts for similar prices?