Stupid Question - Need Clarification

[olivertribe]

Have just been reading the posts regarding the NEWS server changes and being relatively new to this NEWS group stuff I have a few questions.
1. I mainly make use of the alt.binaries.* groups yet it looks like they either have been or are favourded to be dropped. Is this correct?
2. I understand bandwidth issues but noticed the term 'incomplete' appearing alot. What does this mean in the sense of a post? How can I determine (without attempting to download) whether a thread is incomplete or not?
3. I saw mention of google for some group access. I have always found this hard to use but is there a simple free way (as I am basically to cheap to pay as I do not need it that bad)?

All help appreciated
Garry

[Reiner]

Originally posted by olivertribe
Have just been reading the posts regarding the NEWS server changes and being relatively new to this NEWS group stuff I have a few questions.
1. I mainly make use of the alt.binaries.* groups yet it looks like they either have been or are favourded to be dropped. Is this correct?

Not quite. Some groups that tend to have LARGE files and likely to never have completeness were being removed. Normal binaries were remaining according to what I have read from swift people.

2. I understand bandwidth issues but noticed the term 'incomplete' appearing alot. What does this mean in the sense of a post? How can I determine (without attempting to download) whether a thread is incomplete or not?

If there are multipart binaries then this can occur. They are indicated by a x/n in the subject line, eg. 1/3, 2/3, 3/3. If the server hasn't got the complete message (all three parts in this case) one or more of the messages will be missing. If you have a proper binaries news reader it will indicate the completeness of messages for you.

3. I saw mention of google for some group access. I have always found this hard to use but is there a simple free way (as I am basically to cheap to pay as I do not need it that bad)?

There are some around but I don't use them. I'm just hoping Swift's news feed will improve as they get more users and can afford to increase the feed.

[yeah]

Basically swiftel may as well not even have a newsfeed. The main thing people use newsgroups for these days (porn and warez) has been all but eliminated by Swiftel.

[bbyybb]

Well the porn feeds will probably remain, but the warez ones will be gone. By porn i mean images not movies. Warez stuff is pretty obvious to be removed since they are illegal services and piracy is something that should never be endorsed in any shape or form.

Basically all groups that offer very large files will be removed like the warez/dvdr/vcd/anime/mp3/ groups will be removed. Groups that have large amounts of data, have little chance of ever getting full complete group listings.

The current server is on a 1 TB drive and with only a 3.8 MB feed to the server and that nowhere near enough for a full binaries listing. If you were to have an up to date binaries group you would need at leat a 5 TB drive with over 10 MB feed to the server. If you want the best up to date binary news feed you would be best to purchase a connection to one of the large overseas news group organisations that offer anonymous access to all binaries and usenet services.


Cheers,
Ryan.


This is my opinion.

[ckraus]

Can anyone reccomend any paid news servers?

[sticky_chicken]

Originally posted by ckraus
Can anyone reccomend any paid news servers?

Easynews - http://www.easynews.com is a pretty good one. I've used it in the past.