NewsLeecher Install on Windows 8

We recently tested a number of newsreaders to see which were functional and worked best with Windows 8.  You can read our Windows 8 Usenet clients post for more details.  While testing NewsLeecher we noticed a message on their site in reference to some installation issues on the new Microsoft operating system.  For now Windows 8 users will want to install the latest NewsLeecher 5.0 beta rather than version 4.0 final.

Here’s the October 27th update from NewsLeecher.com:

As many of you have noticed the installer for NewsLeecher V4.0 Final, does not under Windows 8. We are working on getting a new Windows 8 compatible final release out, but in the meantime, we recommend that you use the latest beta release available on the NewsLeecher website, if you plan on using NewsLeecher under Windows 8.

We’re currently running NewsLeecher 5.0 beta 15 on Windows 8 without any problems.

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NewsLeecher Guide : Server Priority

Today’s post is in response to a recent question posed from a fellow Usenet fan who wants to set up a second Usenet provider as a backup in NewsLeecher.  A popular trend as many users are choosing unlimited Usenet plans and then adding a secondary block Usenet account.  In a moment we’ll show how to configure both services in NewsLeecher along with setting the server priority so you only pull from the block when needed.

First you’ll want to set up your primary Usenet provider in NewsLeecher.  To get started click on the Manager tab and click on Add Server.  From there you can enter the providers news server address, SSL preference and port number.  Along with your login credentials.  For your primary server there are no additional changes needed as NewsLeecher will set the server priority to 01 by default.  Meaning it will try that server first.

Next you’ll want to set up a second server for your block account.  We’ve heard people refer to secondary servers as backup, fill or slave servers.  The bottom line is that NewsLeecher will check the servers below priority 01 only when necessary.  As you can see we’ve set our block account for priority 02 so NewsLeecher knows to check this server if the primary fails or is missing content.  That’s all there is to setting up server priority.

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NewsLeecher Releases Version 5 Beta 13

Earlier this week NewsLeecher released their first beta of the year.  On April 7, 2012 NewsLeecher rolled out version 5.0 beta 13.  The release appears to be focused on the user interface and further improving the usability of the popular Usenet client.  NewsLeecher customers can download the latest beta directly from their site.  Those new to the software can download a free trial copy from their beta page.  A license costs $20 a year.

Here’s a list of the new features in NL version 5 beta 13 directly from their version history page:

NewsLeecher v5.0 Beta 13
Release Date: 2012-05-07 17:34:24

+: Redesigned bookmarks navigation and GUI on the Explorer Tab,
so it flows better with the rest of the application design.
+: We’ve added a new (fifth) option to the ‘Compacting’ feature.
The feature can be accessed by clicking the ‘Compacting’ button
in the lower right corner of the NewsLeecher main window.
+: Reintroduced support for “descript.ion” files. The feature
can be enabled from:
Settings -> Adv. Nerdy Tweaks -> Download Descript.ion File…
+: The SuperSearch ‘Watchdog’ state and the SupeSearch max days
/ category settings are now saved between sessions.
*: Smaller improvements. Added a ‘Open Folder in Windows Explorer
button to the NewsLeecher Explorer Toolbar and relocated the
SuperSearch ‘Search’ button to the right side of the search
input box.
!: Found and fixed one more small memory leak. NewsLeecher should
be close to 100% memory leak free now.
!: Fixed a couple of smaller bugs in the selection logic used
in the ‘Groups Navigation Panel’.

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Can NewsLeecher Turn Things Around?

We report on sites and service issues all the time.  Providing suggestions for temporary alternatives during outages and more permanent solutions when sites close down.  Yet most aren’t as drawn out and frustrating as the current situation over at NewsLeecher.  Perhaps it’s our personal connection with the newsreader.  As a number of NGR editors have enjoyed the NewsLeecher client and SuperSearch through the years.  Yet the lack of support along with software bugs and unreliable service have left many looking for other options.

We’re not here to bash NewsLeecher.  There’s enough of that going on in the NewsLeecher forums.  The problem is there’s no one there to give timely answers.  Leaving customers shaking their heads when they have questions rather than getting the necessary answers.  Along with NewsLeecher / SuperSearch issues which include website outages, problems with SuperSearch and most recently a server crash.

The question is can NewsLeecher still turn things around?  For some the answer is no.  In fact the problem is bad enough for a NewsLeecher forum moderator to call it a day.  Here’s the post by Magic:

Lack of support. that whats happened.

I am a forum moderator (came back after a while of absence) but I can’t do this alone, Spiril and Smudge are not to be seen anywhere…

They do come at this forum once a month (if we’re lucky).

I do not get any response from them in the “moderator only” forum, so I called it a day. It’s a shame though cause NL is indeed one of the finest out there.

But with the lack of support, list of bugs and SS not working I’m not surprised that people are leaving.

I think that sums up the situation pretty well.  Can NewsLeecher turn things around?  We think they still can.  Especially for those who haven’t already given up on them.  Even those who have might give NL a shot again over time.  The key will be finding a way to provide users with timely feedback along with bug fixes, a reasonable development schedule and most of all reliable client and SuperSearch functions.

There is another option.  NewsLeecher is a good Usenet client.  It has some issues but is still one of the best newsreaders around.  If the time isn’t there to support the client then perhaps someone else could take over or partner on the project.  Giving the current developer more time for other priorities.

Time will tell whether or not NewsLeecher can turn things around.  We hope so given the history of the client.

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NewsLeecher Site and Client Validation Down

April 14, 2012 update – the Newsleecher homepage now shows a generic ‘Under Construction’ message.

April 13, 2012 update – earlier this month Newsleecher had issues with SuperSearch.  Today the site is down.

February 21, 2012 update – the Newsleecher site is currently down.  Right now the newsleecher.com site is timing out.  This time around it appears the SuperSearch service is also unreachable.

Originally posted January 7, 2012 after the first Newsleecher outage.  Updates above for recurring downtime.

A few days ago we heard from a NewsLeecher user that the site was down for a short period of time.  We didn’t report it though since it appeared to be a short-term problem and all sites have technical issues now and then.  Today is worse though as users are reporting that not only the Newsleecher.com site is down but the newsreader is failing to work properly for some as the software key validation server isn’t responding.

Visiting the Newsleecher.com website returns a ‘Bad Request (Invalid Hostname)’ message.  We have been able to use NewsLeecher 5 beta 12 and SuperSearch features but understand some are having problems.  With the software reporting an error in response from the key validation server.  We’re not sure why some are having issues while others aren’t.  Perhaps NewsLeecher phones home at certain intervals.

Regardless of the reason behind the issue the outage points to a deeper challenge for software developers who choose to validate software keys on launch or at regular internals.  As in this case technical issues leave some users without access to the newsreader and SuperSearch service.

NewsLeecher has been one of our favorite Usenet clients over the years.  We admire the new features and pace of development over these last few months.  So we’re not changing our opinion of the software over this incident but also understand why some customers are frustrated by the outage.

NewsLeecher alternatives

Those having issues with their NewsLeecher client might consider these alternatives:

  • Newshosting offers unlimited Usenet with a client and Usenet search for $9.99 a month or $99 a year.
  • Newsbin Pro is another of our favorite newsreaders.  They offer an optional Usenet search service.
  • SABnzbd is an open source, web-based newsreader that runs as a web server with some cool add-ons.
  • Binreader is another great choice.  We enjoy running the Windows portable version from thumbdrive.

As we finish this post it looks like the NewsLeecher.com site has been down for over four hours.  We hope the site and validation server access is restored soon.  For future issues it would also be nice if NewsLeecher had a way to notify customers of outages.  Either via a Twitter account or another domain would work nicely.  As NZBMatrix does a good job of posting any planned maintenance or outages on nzbmatrix.info.

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NewsLeecher Releases Version 5 Beta 9 and 10

The developer of NewsLeecher continues to innovate the popular newsreader at a fast pace.  We remember a time not too long ago when some wondered whether or not NewsLeecher would continue with new versions.  In the last year that question has been answered with a final release of version 4 and the steadfast development of version 5.  With ten beta versions released so far.  Including the beta 9 and 10 versions released this month.

Head on over to NewsLeecher and download the latest version 5 beta 10 beta.  Existing members have free access to all the beta releases.  If you’re currently running the final release of v4 we highly recommend you give the v5 beta a test drive.  As there are several advantages.  Those new to the client can try it free for 14 days.

Here is a list of features in the NewsLeecher version 5 beta 9 and 10 releases.

NewsLeecher v5.0 Beta 10
Release Date: 2011-12-06 16:43:42

+: (Re)implemented shortcuts for navigation subscribed Usenet
groups. Next Group = Alt + Right Arrow, Prev. Groups = Alt +
Left Arrow, Next Virt. Group = Alt + Down Arrow, Prev. Virt.
Group = Alt + Up Arrow.
+: Added ‘Create New Folder’ button to the NewsLeecher File
Explorer toolbar.
*: Smaller fixed and improvements.

NewsLeecher v5.0 Beta 9
Release Date: 2011-12-01 14:23:39

+: Added ‘Append to SuperSearch Search Query’ input box. The box
can be used for inputting a string that should always be
appended to the query sent to the SuperSearch server.
This can be useful for, for example, permanently excluding
articles containing certaing keywords, such as language
specific articles.
+: The width of the main filter boxes in NewsLeecher are now
automatically adjusted, depending on the space available on the
NewsLeecher toolbars.
The max width of the boxes can be changed here:
Settings -> Adv. Nerdy Tweaks -> Search Filter Max Pixel Width
+: Implemented a Quick Link feature, that can be used to quickly
execute a program or open a URL, by clicking a shortcut.
The links can be accessed and edited from:
Tools -> Quick Links
The links can also be accessed by keyboard shortcuts, Ctrl+1,
Ctrl+2 and Ctrl+3.
*: Vastly reduced the CPU cycles used by NewsLeecher, when lots
of articles were present in the Download Queue.
*: Fixed and enhanced the “Download to Groupname Subfolder”
feature, so only one groupname is used when creating the
subfolder, in case the article comes from multiple groups.
NewsLeecher now matches the article groupnames against the list
of local group subscriptions, to find the best suited name for
the subfolder.
*: Redesigned the two Articles Broweser toolbars, and re-arranged
some buttons on the final toolbar.
*: Redesigned the SuperSearch view, so it uses less pixels. A
major redesigned of the SuperSearch view in on the todo list.
*: XMas there performance improvements and lots of other smaller
improvements.
!: F8, F9 shortcuts are working again. The “Run Command Line on
Empty Queue” works again. Other smaller fixes.

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NewsLeecher SuperSearch It Feature

NewsLeecher is hard at work on their version 5 release.  With new betas posted in October and November.  The betas have included a number of new features, tweaks and most recently a holiday theme.  A couple weeks ago we shared our impressions of the new Repair & Extract Destination Manager.  Now we’d like to share our thoughts on the other major update in the NewsLeecher v5 beta 7 release.  Namely the SuperSearch It feature.

First let’s take a look at the SuperSearch It feature description from the NewsLeecher v5.0 Beta 7 notes:

A new feature named SuperSearch It, has been implemented for all tab views in NewsLeecher. The feature makes it very fast and easy to use SuperSearch for searching specific groups, article subjects and poster names. The feature also makes it very fast to browse entire groups through SuperSearch, without having to fetch headers for the specific group. Feature can be accessed by the ‘Flash Icon’ buttons, or the F4 keyboard shortcut.

The first thing you want to do is download and install NewsLeecher 5 beta 7 or higher.  Beta 8 includes the holiday theme.  To access the new feature you’ll want to open NewsLeecher and either click on a lightning bolt “flash icon” button or press F4.  Either will display the following SuperSearch It screen:

We found the new SuperSearchIt feature quite helpful for finding content in a specific newsgroup without downloading headers.  Either by topic “article subject” or by poster name.  Notice that “days to search” defaults to 30.  Depending on your topic of interest you can definitely increase that number.  We chose “ubuntu” as our topic of interest and searched just within the alt.binaries.cd.image.linux group for results in the last 30 days.

As you can see our search netted 5 results.  You might also notice how the query is structured as ubuntu groups:”alt.binaries.cd.image.linux”.  Once you get the hang of it you can easily type in your own queries.  Adjusting the number of days to search via the dropdown to the left of the search field.

While our example was pretty simple it illustrates the usefulness of the new SuperSearch It feature.  Remember to use the new features you will need NewsLeecher version 5 beta 7 or higher.  Customers can download the latest beta directly from their site.  Those new to the reader can make use of their free trial to test the client.

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NewsLeecher Christmas Theme in v5 Beta 8

The latest edition of NewsLeecher – Version 5 Beta 8 – has a new Christmas theme.  The xmas theme is cool.  With snow dropping from the top of the page.  We dig it.  Those who prefer another look can disable the theme.  We look forward to future NewsLeecher themes.  Newsleecher customers can grab the latest beta directly from the NewsLeecher download page.  Those new to the Usenet client can download a 14 day free trial.

The xmas theme is just one of the new features in the latest NewsLeecher beta.  Here’s a full list of changes directly from the NewsLeecher history log:

NewsLeecher v5.0 Beta 8
Release Date: 2011-11-16 17:42:31

*: ---------------------------------------------------------------
   -- Larger Change - Redesigned User Interface -- ---------------
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   The graphical user interface in NewsLeecher has been changed
   quite a bit, to make the application more streamlined.
+: Implemented an xmas theme for NewsLeecher. The animated
   snow, that is part of the theme, can be turned off via this
   setting:
   Settings -> Adv. Nerdy Tweaks -> GUI Theme Animations Allowed
   This, and future themes, can be turned off complete from:
   Settings -> Adv. Nerdy Tweaks -> GUI Theme Allowed
+: The Repair & Extract Destination Manager can now also match
   PAR2 set names against group names, to decide the destination
   folder for extraced archives.
+: Implemented a GUI compact mode feature, that, when enabled,
   will resize some of the toolbars in NewsLeecher, so they take
   up less space on screen. Can be accessed via settings:
   Settings -> Adv. Nerdy Tweaks -> GUI Compact Mode
*: Vastly reduced the CPU cycles used by NewsLeecher, when lots
   of sets were present in the Repair & Extract view.


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NewsLeecher Repair & Extract Destination Manager

Repair and Extract Destination Manager is one of the new features in NewsLeecher version 5 beta 7 released late last month.  The new R&E Destination Manager feature allows users to choose where specific articles are extracted based on keywords in the subject of the articles.  That might sound confusing but we’ll show an example in a moment.  Those who download a lot will want to consider the new R&E Destination Manager.

First here’s a description of the Repair & Destination Manager from the NewsLeecher history log:

A new feature named “Repair & Extract Destination Manager” has been implemented. This feaure makes it possible to tell Repair & Extract where to extract specific downloaded articles, based on customizable keywords matched against the articles subjects. The feature replaces the current settings used to specify where R&E should extract archives, but we’ve tried to make it backward compatible, so your R&E extract settings remain intact, until you decide to change them through the newly implemented manager.

First download and install NewsLeecher 5 beta 7.  To access the new feature you’ll want to open NewsLeecher and go to Settings and then Repair / Extract.  Then you’ll notice a large button that says Repair and Extract Archive Extract Destination Manager.  Clicking on the button will bring up the following screen:

The first time you enter this screen the table will be blank.  To add entries simply check the Usenet Repair and Extract Destination Manager check box.  Then click the Add icon.  The following screen will appear:

As you can see we added an article search keyword match for the term ubuntu and specified a new destination folder.  That’s really all there is to it.  Setting up custom destination folders is easy and will help you organize files.  Especially for those who download a lot of content of the same subject.

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NewsLeecher Version 5 Beta 7 Released

NewsLeecher released a new beta of their popular Usenet client on October 24th.  Since then we’ve had a chance to run it through the paces and enjoy some of the new features.  The version 5 beta 7 release includes some cool new features like ‘Repair & Extract Destination Manager’.  Along with ‘SuperSearch It’ for quick, refined searches.  Grab the latest version 5, beta 7 release from the NewsLeecher download page.

Stay tuned as we’ll share our impressions of the new NewsLeecher features along with screenshots and more detailed information later this week.  In the meantime download the new beta and let us know what you think.  Here’s a full list of features in v5 beta 7 from the NewsLeecher release log:

NewsLeecher v5.0 Beta 7
Release Date: 2011-10-24 13:00:05
+: ---------------------------------------------------------------
   -- Larger Feature Addition - R&E Destination Manager -- -------
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   A new feature named "Repair & Extract Destination Manager" has
   been implemented. This feaure makes it possible to tell
   Repair & Extract where to extract specific downloaded articles,
   based on customizable keywords matched against the articles
   subjects. The feature replaces the current settings used to
   specify where R&E should extract archives, but we've tried to
   make it backward compatible, so your R&E extract settings
   remain intact, until you decide to change them through the
   newly implemented manager.
+: ---------------------------------------------------------------
   --[ Larger Feature Addition - SuperSearch It ] ----------------
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   A new feature named SuperSearch It, has been implemented for
   all tab views in NewsLeecher. The feature makes it very fast
   and easy to use SuperSearch for searching specific groups,
   article subjects and poster names. The feature also makes
   it very fast to browse entire groups through SuperSearch,
   without having to fetch headers for the specific group.
   Feature can be accessed by the 'Flash Icon' buttons, or
   the F4 keyboard shortcut.
+: Implemented an option to completely hide the 'Posting View',
   when no articles are queued to be posted. The option can be
   turned on / off from by clicking the button, right-most on
   the transfer queues toolbar.
*: We have begun to convert various code parts used in
   NewsLeecher, in preparation to port the application to Mac OS
   X. Note that these are *very* *very* early conversion tasks. A
   fully funtional NewsLeecher OS X port still lies quite a while
   into the future.
*: Visual interface consistency improvements have been
   implemented.
*: Smaller improvements here and there.

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