Newshosting emailed me a deal on their unlimited usenet plan. They are offering 85% off their best plan that includes unlimited speeds and downloads, 4,233 days of binary retention, 55 connections, a newsreader and VPN service. This deal is good for life and gives you access to the HW backend for a great price. I would recommend pairing this with a Tweaknews block or other service that is on a different backbone.
Not as good as the $20/yr deal I'm on now but still a great price in terms of other providers (by undercutting the competition and their own re-sellers).
Newshosting is Omicron/Highwinds backbone.
This map will help you choosing other unlimited/block accounts (more backbones, better chances of completes).
The legendary $20/yr deal I've heard so much about. What is the block you are pairing with Omicron/HW backbone?
I have been collecting blocks over the years when good deals come up, some being made redundant over time. The servers I have ATM,
Omicron
Highwinds - newshosting - unlimited
Highwinds - thecubenet - block
Highwinds - newsdemon - block
usenet.farm
usenet.farm - block
Uzo Reto
vipernews - block
UsenetExpress
UsenetExpress - block
Abavia
Bulknews - block
For me, I recommend at least a Farm block + one other backbone like Viper. Also, even though thecubenet is another Highwinds, over the years I have noticed it still completes some articles where all others have failed, mostly on older stuff, YMMV.
Right on, you just reminded me that I have an unused Bulknews block I need to dust off and find. I primarily use Tweak as my secondary since I picked up their €30 annual plan early last year. I can't really support Usenet Express after they cut their retention in half still tried to charge me regular pricing.
Are you on SAB or NZBGet?
@indingnation: NZBGet for all, main comp for manual dls, automated RPi server for weekly series, and Android if needed when out.
Farm block + one other backbone
I've never come across incomplete articles.
The way Usenet works that isn't supposed to happen. The way it works is someone uploads something and then all other servers mirror it isn't it?
@Diji1: DMCA take downs are now a thing. Simply put, providers get take-down requests for copyright reasons, they remove one or some articles from their server to make files "incomplete". Different providers/backbones remove different articles, so missing ones can be grabbed from the other providers (main reason for blocks to be used along side of unlimited accounts).
More of an issue for non-automated setups and/or when grabbing older content.
Thanks for that map. I knew some of it but this map is pretty comprehensive.
Would it be worth switching from ABB to this? Is this a comparable service?
I would recommend it, Newshosting is one of the fastest and most reliable providers. Plus you get a decent newsreader and throw in VPN service, worth the money.
Then grab a cheap block that is not on the HW/Omicron, as stated above, if you have not done so already.
This is cheaper then the valentines day special they ran. I'm going to see if I can get it price matched from their support. Thanks OP.