Giganews, a well know and respected Usenet provider, which has been providing Usenet service since 1994 made some major changes to their Usenet services plans recently. They dropped their monthly limit plans and just offer their Diamond plan now. You can get a year of service for $12.50/month if you prepay. The new pricing structure is as follows.

12 Months Prepaid Subscription – $12.50/month which equals $150/year
6 Months Prepaid Subscription – $14.99/month which is $179.88/year
1 Month Subscription  – $17.99/month

These prices are obviously still high as there are other service providers like Fast Usenet which offer Unlimited access for only $6.95/month. Fast Usenet is also currently offering A promotional offer for $4.95/month too. But it’s nice to see Giganews lower their prices and I’m sure they’ll pull in some new users that like to use their prestigious service.

On January 5th, 2018 Fast Usenet (Usenet Services, LLC) acquired Usenet Central. It appears that they are in the process of merging their services now. Over the years we’ve reviewed both Fast Usenet and Usenet Central and both provided great service. It became apparent that Fast Usenet was updated more frequently and the owners seemed to invest more time and effort into the service.

We aren’t surprised to see that Fast Usenet is starting to acquire Usenet providers such as Usenet World and Usenet Central.  Fast Usenet provides excellent service and we have rated them our favorite Usenet provider for the last 3 years. Read the review for their service here.

Fast Usenet Summary

Fast Usenet is a well-known Usenet provider who has been providing quality access over the last 7 years. Fast Usenet was the first service provider to offer unlimited access for under $10 per month. Over the years others have followed but just note that Fast Usenet has always tried to provide their users with the best deal.

Along with NNTP access, they offer a customized version of GrabIt newsreader which includes global newsgroup search. You will also get access to web and mobile gateway which can be used for viewing picture and text groups. A nice feature that binary users probably won’t find useful but people that use Usenet for text and images will.

Retention Times

Fast Usenet has competitive retention times and ranks with other leading providers. At the time this review was written they offered 2,020+ days of retention which on par with leading providers such as Giganews, Usenet Server, and Astraweb.

Free Trial

Fast Usenet offers a generous 14 day 15GB free trial. The free trial includes access to GrabIt with search, the web and mobile gateways, full retention, and 50 secure SSL connections.

Service Plans

Fast Usenet offers four different Usenet plans that should satisfy everyone’s download requirements. Plans range from Unlimited downloads per month down to 6GB per month.

Unlimited Usenet – only $9.95 per $6.95 month. Full retention, 50 SSL connections, GrabIt newsreader.

35GB per month – only $5.95 per month. Full retention, 50 SSL connections, GrabIt newsreader.

15GB per month – only $3.95 per month. Full retention, 50 SSL connections, GrabIt newsreader.

6GB per month – only $2.95 per month. Full retention, 50 SSL connections, GrabIt newsreader.

Download Speeds

As you might already assume Fast Usenet is known for their download speeds? They have servers in both the United States and Europe. Upon completing testing we can assure you that Fast Usenet offers unbeatable access speeds. On their website, they claim to utilize proprietary software that is supposed to increase Usenet transfer rates and it seems to do just that.

Security

With your Fast Usenet subscription, you will get 50 secure SSL connections. This is about a 100% increase over other providers who limit connections to 25.

Localization

Fast Usenet offers their service to members all over the World! They have translated their website for 5 different languages to help their International customers better understand their service offering. Fast Usenet is available in: English, Germany, Spanish, French, Dutch

Other Nice Features

Getting a customized newsreader with search is a nice additional feature. But not only do you get a newsreader you will also get access to their web and mobile gateways which will allow you to access Usenet text and picture groups right from your smartphone or web browser.

Comparison To Other Providers

Fast Usenet provides good service and great value. We would have to rank them in the top 5 Usenet providers. It’s a great value to get Unlimited Usenet access for only $9.95/month but with their service, you’ll also get a newsreader and the web and mobile gateways. Making their service an unbeatable value.

Special Offers

Fast Usenet is currently running a promotional offer. Unlimited Usenet service for only $4.95/month (← Click on the link to signup). That’s the least expensive monthly service that we are aware of.

Conclusion

We highly recommend Fast Usenet. If you are looking for quality NNTP access for under $10 a month we suggest that you head over to Fast Usenet and sign up today.

Visit Fast Usenet to Sign Up

Twenty one years ago this August, the Windows 95 operating system launched to great fanfare around the world.

Now you can relive those heady days with a Windows 95 emulator that runs in your browser. Built by Andrea Faulds, a student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, the emulator uses Emscripten and DOSBox to give you that authentic ’95 experience.

According to Faulds’ website, she started the project for the sake of nostalgia, and because it was fun. It will give users a chance to experience the birth of now well-known Windows features including the start menu and the task bar.
However, she writes the emulator is “strictly for educational purposes,” stating Windows controls all copyright to its software and she can’t guarantee users will not be infringing its rights by using the emulator.

“While Microsoft no longer sell Windows 95 as a retail product, nor do they still sell licenses or support for it (which ended on December 31, 2001), it is still very much protected by copyright law,” she writes. “I would argue that this might (and that is quite tenuous) be protected under United States fair use and United Kingdom fair dealing provisions, given that this is a non-commercial use for the purposes of research and education.”

If Windows sends a cease and desist letter, she’ll take it down.

Retro browsers are having a bit of a moment. In 2015, YouTuber Nick Lee used Mini vMac, an early Mac operating systems emulator, to get his Apple Watch to run the 1996 version of OS 7.5.5.

Launch the Emulator

Newshosting, a global leader in providing Usenet service worldwide, has officially announced (and we seen it coming) that they are now offering a VPN service along with premium Usenet access.

What is VPN

A VPN is an online encryption utility that allows users to control their IP address while providing high strength encrypted Internet privacy. A quality VPN provider also helps to remove online censorship and geographical restrictions, you are allowed to choose your IP address and online location.

Newshosting’s new service provides over 70+ servers in 17 countries. Anonymous IP addresses provide users with the following benefits.

• Unmetered VPN Bandwidth
• Unlimited Server Switching
• Two Simultaneous VPN Connections
• OpenVPN, L2TP, and PPTP Protocols
• Free software
• Direct Access to the Fastest Worldwide VPN Network
• 100% Online Identity and Data Protection

The Newshosting VPN service is included with Annual and XL Powerpack plans and is available as an add-on to any other Usenet plan. Customers can also choose to purchase a VPN-only account.

Having access to both Newshosting Usenet and VPN services provides highly secured transfers, allowing users to truly enjoy all that Usenet has to offer.

Learn more about Newshosting’s Usenet Service

Newshosting Summary

Newshosting is a premium Usenet service provider operated by Highwinds Media Group. Highwinds is the largest player left in the Usenet market and operates services such as UsenetServer, Easynews and Newshosting. Each service offers quality Usenet access but has different features and pricing between the brands. Newshosting offers industry leading retention and pricing and unlike Easynews and UsenetServer is comes with a custom newsreader which makes the service unique over Highwind’s other properties.

Retention Times

Newshosting has good retention times and ranks with other leading providers. At the time this review was written they offered 2,454+ days of retention which on par with leading providers such as Giganews, Usenet Server, Fast Usenet and Astraweb.

Free Trial

Newshosting offers a generous 30 day 15GB free trial. The free trial is unrestricted and includes access to their newsreader with search, full retention and 30 secure SSL connections.

Service Plans

Newshosting offers three different Usenet plans. Unlimited, XL Powerpack and Lite. Unlimited and XL Powerpack both offer Unlimited downloading. The Lite package offers 50GB/month with roll over gigs.

Download Speeds

Newshosting is the only Usenet provider that offers 60 concurrent connections. Though it’s nice of them to offer 60 connections, most providers such as Fast Usenet will max out your bandwidth with less. But I have to say that Newshosting does offers great speeds and will surely fill whatever size Internet pipe you have.

Conclusion

Newshosting is a highly recommended Usenet provider. They offer great service and great features. Their prices are a little higher then some others providers but the features are worth it. If you aren’t looking for all the fancy features and just want pure Usenet service with great retention and speeds we suggest that you visit our Fast Usenet review.

Sign up for Newshosting today!

Easynews, a premium NNTP and browser-based Usenet service provider, is now providing VPN service. As people continue to look for a way to increase their online privacy VPSs are becoming increasingly popular. Available for both current  subscribers and new customers seeking additional online privacy, the Easynews VPN will provide an encrypted connection, allowing members to change their IP address and add a layer of encrypted data protection.

Everyone can test the service when opting in for the free trial through May 12, 2015. In addition to encryption, VPN offers the following features and benefits:

• Free VPN service for Big Gig Subscribers
• Up to 1 month free trial for Classic and Plus plan users
• Helps avoid censorship blocks
• Allows region selection to eliminate geolocation restrictions
• 100% online Identity and data protection
• Free software
• Unmetered VPN bandwidth
• Two simultaneous VPN connections
• Direct access to the fastest worldwide VPN network
• Unlimited server switching
• OpenVPN, L2TP, and PPTP protocols

With more than 70+ servers in 17 countries, Easynews offers an expansive, affordable addition for Usenet subscribers. The Easynews VPN plan is free with the Big Gig plan, and is available as an add-on for Plus and Classic plan users for $2.99 per month after the trial period ends. VPN is also offered as a stand alone service, with pricing starting at $11.99 a month.

For our review of Easynew’s Usenet service click here.

Usenet Bucket Service Review

Summary:

Usenet Bucket is a premium provider located in Amsterdam the Netherlands. A popular location for providers as Amsterdam is a major network hub for the World. Amsterdam provides access to high speed network hubs for delivering fast download speeds globally.

Usenet Retention:

Usenet Bucket offers 1,100 days of binary retention. This is about 55% less retention time as other leading providers. Providers such as Fast Usenet and Usenet Server offer over 2,400+ days. Learn what retention is and why it’s important.

Free Trial:

New customers to Usenet Bucket can take advantage of their 7 day free trial offer. The free trial offers 400 Mbit download speeds, 50 secure SSL connections, 5GB of downloads and access to full 1,100 day retention times. If you sign up for the free trial using your Facebook account you will get an additional 20GB of downloads during the trial period.

Usenet Service Plans:

Usenet Bucket offers three different service plan options which all include Unlimited download bytes but range in the download speeds you are allowed.

Basic Bucket: 2.95 Euro per month, SSL support, 25 connections and 10 Mbit download speed limit.

Comfort Bucket: 4.95 Euro per month, SSL support, 25 connections and 40 Mbit download speed limit.

Unlimited Bucket: 12.95 Euro per month, SSL support, 50 connections and 400 Mbit download speed limit.

Security:

All Usenet Bucket plans include secure socket layer connections (SSL) to Usenet. This allows for secure communication between your computer and their servers.

Comparison To Other Providers:

Usenet Bucket offers good service with fair prices. Their retention times aren’t comparable to other leading providers such as Astraweb, Fast Usenet or Usenet Server. But retention times aren’t everything. Overall Usenet Bucket offers quality service. Most users won’t need access to more than 1,100 days of retention.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a quality Usenet provider who is situated in the Netherlands we can strongly recommend Usenet Bucket. Their website and support is great and they seem to strongly care about providing users with quality Usenet access and the Usenet system as a whole. If you are interested in Usenet Bucket please click on the link below to sign up.

Click here to visit Usenet Bucket

Astraweb, a well known Usenet Service Provider and isn’t a reseller. They provide value with lots of different options that make their Usenet service worth while. Astraweb Usenet has block accounts, several different payment options, Secure SSL access and all the main features you would look for in a Usenet provider.

Astraweb Binary Retention

Astraweb currently offers 2,407 days of binary retention across ALL major newsgroups.

Pricing

Astraweb offers 2 general plan categories:

• Unlimited Downloads – currently the best deal is the Astraweb $15 for 2 months special – which means you pay only $15 a month for two months of unlimited high speed downloads. Do this if you are considering Astraweb.  Take advantage of this deal while it lasts.
• Also notable if you just want to check out Astraweb for a month would be the Astraweb $11 special.
• Block Downloads Astraweb offers no time limit restrictions and you can buy blocks of Usenet downloads for $10 for 25 GB or $25 for 180 GB.

Astraweb Free Trial

Astraweb does not offer a free trial.

Astraweb Speed

Download speeds with Astraweb are good. They are plugged into Level 3 networks, LimeLight Networks and Savvis Intenet backbone servers and have servers located in North Carolina so you should get a good connection throughput in the USA and in Europe.

Astraweb Ports  / Configuration Instructions

• General Server: news.astraweb.com
• European Server: eu.news.astraweb.com
• US Server: us.news.astraweb.com
• Ports: 119, 23, 1818 or 8080
• Secure Server: ssl.astraweb.com Ports 443 or 563
• ssl-eu.astraweb.com Ports 443 or 563 (European)
• ssl-us.astraweb.com Ports 443 or 563 (US)
• Maximum Connections: 50 connections

Security/Anonymity

As many other Usenet providers offer Astraweb also has secure SSL connections which work via port 563.

Overall Thoughts

Astraweb is a good provider if you are looking for quality Usenet access.

Click here to sign up for Astraweb

Perfect 10 must pay $5.6m in legal fees following a failed copyright battle with Usenet provider Giganews . On the heels of a February ruling in which a California Court heavily criticized the adult publisher, this week Perfect 10 was described by a Judge as a serial litigator intended to function as a “tax write-off”.
Adult publisher Perfect 10 has developed a reputation for making a business out of suing Internet services for alleged copyright infringement.

In recent years the company has targeted Google, Amazon, MasterCard and Visa, RapidShare and Depositfiles, plus hosting providers LeaseWeb and OVH.

Perfect 10 has secured private settlements from several of these companies but has never succeeded in a contested court case. The company hoped that a new suit against Usenet provider Giganews would provide a much-needed victory, but the whole thing has turned into a disaster.

In November 2014 a ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California found that Giganews was not liable for the infringing activities of its users and last month Perfect 10 was roundly criticized for multiple failings by the same Court.

“Perfect 10 failed to produce any evidence supporting its claim of direct
infringement,” the Judge wrote, adding that it also “failed to produce any evidence supporting its claim of indirect infringement.”

Read more at Torrent Freak