How to Download From Usenet | Simple and Easy Guide on How to Use Usenet

Step 1 – Usenet Server Access

The first step is to gain access to a Usenet server.  In the past, Usenet access was typically provided by your local university or Internet service provider.  However, as the cost of maintaining those servers went up, most of these groups stopped providing access.

Premium Usenet providers have stepped in to fill the void.  Premium Usenet providers grant you access to their Usenet servers for a small fee.

Premium providers have consequently been able to add more storage to the network.  Whereas messages and files used to be deleted from the servers after a certain period of time, modern Usenet servers are now storing all posts indefinitely.

With a number of Usenet providers available, review sites such as Comparere and NewsgroupReviewsprovide the pros and cons of each provider.

Step 2 – Newsreader (Usenet Client)

Once you have access to a Usenet server, you need a special piece of software to access the posts and files on that server.  This piece of software is usually referred to as a Newsreader or Usenet client.

There are a number of open source Newsreaders available such as Grabit & SABnzbd.

While the open source options provide the minimum necessary to download, some of the advanced Newsreaders provide extra options such as the ability to preview an audio, video or image file before you download it.

Step 3 – Usenet Search Engine

Finally, with the massive amount of data available on Usenet, it is impossible to find what you are looking for by just browsing through the archives.

You need access to a robust Usenet search engine which has indexed the available content.

Sites like NZBMatrix provide you the ability to search Usenet and download an NZB file.  The NZB file gives directions to your newsreader on where to find the associated files on Usenet.