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Alternative Usenet Search Engines

November 4, 2011 by

What happens when your favorite Usenet search engine or NZB site goes down?  Where do you turn?  Over the last few days a lot of Usenet fans have been discussing where to find newsgroup content when leading sites like NZBMatrix are down.  Whether down indefinitely like Newzleech or temporarily as was the case when NZBMatrix recently upgraded servers.  Either way users are left seeking alternatives.

We’re not suggesting you turn away from sites like Binsearch, NZBMatrix and Mysterbin.  As we enjoy them as well.  Instead these alternatives are great to have when your favorite site is down.  Luckily there are some pretty good options available.  In fact we’ve been enjoying the Usenet search feature inside of the Newshosting client along with Newsbin and the NewsLeecher SuperSearch feature.  Integrated search is definitely convenient.

Newshosting Client with Built-In Usenet Search

Newshosting is our favorite alternative to sites like Binsearch and NZBMatrix.  Why?  Because they have a number of search engines built into the free Usenet client.  Including Binsearch, Nzbindex and Nfonews.  Along with their own Newshosting search engine.  Giving you the flexibility to find Usenet content through different sources.  Then you can let the Newshosting Usenet browser download, repair and extract the content.  Newshoting includes the newsreader free along with unlimited Usenet access for $9.99 a month or $99 a year.  We highly recommend their service.

Newsbin Pro with the Usenet Search Feature

Newsbin Pro has been one of our favorite newsreaders for many years now.  Part of the reason is their Newsbin Internet Search feature.  Which is a built-in Usenet search engine.  You can filter by newsgroup, file size and age just to name a few.  The search feature is an additional cost.  With two options to choose from.  They have a Standard search package which includes 500 searches a month for $2.50 along with an unlimited option which costs $5 a month.  New users can download a free trial of Newsbin Pro which will also allow you to test the Newsbin search functionality.

Newsleecher with the SuperSearch Feature

We’ve been using Newsleecher with the SuperSearch feature for a long time as well.  It has some newer advanced features like ‘SuperSearch It’ which is great for finding content in a specific groups or even browse through the group without downloading headers.  Newsleecher is similar to Newsbin in that the search feature costs extra.  New users can purchase Newsleecher along with the SuperSearch feature for $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year.  That includes all future releases and beta downloads.  You can also download a free trial of Newsleecher to test the reader.

The Newshosting client with built-in Usenet search is our favorite because it’s free to members and offers multiple engines.  You really can’t go wrong with any of the options listed above.  Especially when your favorite site is down or you just want the convenience of searching and downloading within the newsreader.

Visit Newsgroup Reviews to compare Usenet search engines and follow us @NewsgroupRevs.

Filed Under: Newsreaders, NZB Sites Tagged With: , , ,

How do NZB files end up on Usenet?

October 5, 2010 by

Ever wonder how NZB files end up on Usenet? There are a few ways NZBs are created and we will discuss two popular scenarios.

1)  NZB created and posted with the file:   Many times when users are uploading articles to Usenet they create an NFO file and an NZB file along with the archive.  There are uploading programs available that automatically create an NZB for you during the posting process.  This is the preferred method as the NZB file will point to the entire file set including the RAR parts, NFO, Par2 files, etc.

2)  NZB search engine:  Other times, there are 3rd party services such as Usenet indexing or NZB search engines that help you create the NZB file.  These NZB Indexing sites will allow you to search for a file by subject or filename. Some NZB sites will give you many more options to search with.  Once you find the file it will be displayed as a file collection.  Once you find the articles/file collection that you are looking for there will generally be an option to create the NZB.

There are many Usenet indexing sites / Usenet search engines on the market. Some are free while others are pay for use. The fees for the pay sites are very modest ranging from a few cents a month to $10/year.  We recommend using NZB’s because of the time it saves.  Either type of nzb site make using Usenet much easier and more efficient.  For example, the NZB search engines offer a user many options to search by.  A Usenet user can search by subject/filename, minimum or maximum date of the post, the poster, size of the file, search only in specific newsgroups and much more.  Some sites even go as far as letting you filter your search by file format type, file categories, and even search for file by defining a maximum or minimum file size.

Usenet search engine / Usenet indexing services:
–  Ngindex – small fee
–  Binsearch – free
–  Newzbin – small fee
–  NZBindex – free
–  Newzleech – free

Nzb sites:
–  NZBsRUS – small fee
–  Merlin’s Portal– free
–  Nzbmatrix – small fee

To open an NZB, you must use a newreader that supports the use of NZB’s.  Most Usenet Browsers support the functionality but be sure to visit NGR or the Usenet clients site to confirm.

Filed Under: NZB Sites, Usenet Tutorials Tagged With: , ,