If you are a beginner to Usenet then there are a few key concepts you will need to understand. If you are interested in downloading binary files then learn about service offerings, typical fees and what kind of software programs you will need to get started.
To get started in Usenet, one needs to address three primary concerns before any others: one, they must have access to Usenet servers through their ISP or a third party; two, they must have a newsreader; three, they must have an NZB program that allows them to find, download and process files from the groups.
They must also familiarize themselves with some different terminology than what is used on the Internet at large. There are some extra file types they must learn to get the best possible experience, as well, but all of this is rather intuitive once one begins.
To get started in newsgroups, one should contact their ISP first to determine whether or not they even have access to this protocol. Because it is not as widely offered as before, there are a great many third-party providers who can offer users access for a monthly fee.
This fee is usually very low, under $20 US and provides a huge amount of access for the price. If one does have access through their ISP, TCP port 119 must be open on one's computer and on one's router and firewall to allow access to these services.
The next concern when getting started in newsgroups will be how one reads the various articles. This is accomplished, not too surprisingly, by a technology called a "newsreader". The interface looks something like a combination between an email program and an Internet browser.
Some of these readers offer advanced functionalities such as being able to view images within posts and greatly streamlined download procedures. There are text-based newsreaders available for those who have no interest in any of the more advanced features and, of course, these are lighter on system resources than their more advanced brethren.
Getting started in newsgroups will also require a program capable of working with NZB files. The use of these programs will become more apparent as one gains more experience with the groups but, essentially, it uses a technology called NZB to instantly locate a specific article and to allow the user to download that article without downloading the entire contents of a given group.
This is a huge time-saving technology, especially when one is using Usenet services to principally exchange files such as images, audio and other useful materials. These programs are often available for free as are the newsreader programs.
Getting started in newsgroups should involve some time put toward studying the various terminologies used. For instance, any file attached to a post is called a "binary" in newsgroup parlance. The terminology tends to confuse new users but, essentially, one may think of these attachments as email attachments.
They can be a file of any format and can be downloaded along with the post. A user should also endeavor to study the various compression and verification technologies used to make the transfer of files faster and more reliable as this will allow them to get the best possible experience out of using Usenet.
Usenet Search – Finding the Right Way to search Usenet
One of the biggest obstacles to effectively leveraging the power of Usenet that you will face will be the inherent difficulty of searching through a huge amount of somewhat disorganized material. Fortunately, there are some Usenet search services to help you out. In this article, we will talk about various services and ways to search Usenet.
Understanding Compression Algorithms as they apply to Usenet
If you are downloading binary files from Usenet, then you will become familiar with different forms of file compression. In this article we talk about file compression and its use in Usenet.
Understanding the Usenet Service
If you are not familiar with Usenet then read this article to learn about Usenet and its corresponding newsgroups from a high level overview.
