newsbin.com

Howdy,

I've been using Newsbin as my exclusive Usenet downloading software for what seems like an eternity.
The last Release Candidate was released on September 3, 2024.
Nearly TWO years ago!?!?

Will there be a final version of 6.91 released or has Newsbin been quietly discontinued?

I enjoy selecting my NZBs from my favorite Private indexers and then manually loading them in Newsbin, and waiting a few minutes to receive my digital goodies.

Is there any other Usenet downloading software that is similar to Newsbin and as feature rich?
SabNZB doesn't suit my needs.

Regardless of Newsbin's status, I hope Quade is doing well wherever he is.

Peace!

Yes, it would be nice; there were talks about final fixes to 6.91 as there were issues raised.

Quade shows as logging into the forum but has not made a post since Nov 2025.

I did try contacting support; others can try too. I was not told much, but as long as people pay for the search, that's what keeps the forum going.

But then there is nothing new on the forum now.

I've been doing other things. Cad. Designing projects to 3d print. Welding and metal working.

Newsbin started back when Windows 3.0 was the latest. Around 1990. WIn3 didn't even have IP networking. You had to add it as a separate package. It's been a decent run.

I run and game under Linux these days. I still have a dedicated Newsbin PC with all the dev tools needed to work on it. That was easier than running a VM. Newbin runs great under Linux. When I need to find something I fire it up and use it.

Dex fixed the forum recently. I tried numerous time to get on before but the bots were killing it. I plan on checking more often now that it's working again.

Great, but will there be a new version of Newsbin with the necessary fixes for the current one? One major issue is the inability to reply to posters. There are still many of us using Newsbin, and there's no other software like it!

Who knows, I might go back to coding at some point. No promises.

Honestly, I was hoping for a more reassuring answer...

Please, Quade, finish the job...

So what is everyone moving to? What apps will still process headers for the lunatics like us alongside nzb work, without deleting the content at the end, as NPB does with some stuff - so it's pf useless now

Have you tried enabling "Delete to trash" (or whatever the option is called) which shouldn't do a permanent delete. When a file goes missing you could look for it in the trash. If it's happening after unrar, you might check the "Post unrar filters".

Just done that but the only thing in my filter list is to 'reject if poster contains...' spammer's addresses, as recommended by you instead of using the 'rejected posters' feature as you stated that slows down performance if large. This explicit filter list config that I have would defo not explain the behaviour I'm seeing with deletions but that would just be another example of general weirdness I get, that I live with, like my watch list being totally ignorant of search parameters for no reason, etc, etc. I don't bother to report as NBP has felt like abandonware for quite a period of time.

Please don't get me wrong, here. I'm ** very ** grateful for the decades of use I've had out of this product for a relatively low price, over the years, subbing to search now and again. And the support of yourself whilst on the journey. But, I'm equally familiar with the idea that 'nothing lasts forever' and it's obviously your perogative to cease development on whatever you want, whenever you want it. So the questions still stands to the remaining active users : What actively developed product has taken up the slack from NBP or are you eyeing to take up the slack?

There aren't too many people left who want to deal with "Headers". I got a report the other day that Usenetserver has exceeded 6000 days of retention. Just downloading the headers for a modest sized group will be gigabytes of downloads.

You could always generate NZB's from Newsbin then feed them into some NZB only downloader

Quade wrote:Who knows, I might go back to coding at some point. No promises.

Have you considered donating, selling, or sharing the source code for Newsbin Pro allowing others to continue your work in the future?

Dear Quade & Dex,

I have an idea for the future of NB Pro.

For me, this free upgrades forever after purchase is not a good business model.
Mu humble suggestion is that, if you improve look/layout of the NB Pro with modern interfaces and add some extra features, and set an upgrade price for this special upgrade, I'm %100 sure that at least %50 of the registered users will gladly pay it.

I'm one of the first purchasers of this product, the initial name was BNA ( Binary News Assistant ) if I remember correctly and I'm using it more than 20+ years with just only one payment and full support which is insane.

What you think ?

Best Regards

I'd also be willing to pay for an upgrade.

I'm one of the first purchasers of this product, the initial name was BNA ( Binary News Assistant ) if I remember correctly and I'm using it more than 20+ years with just only one payment and full support which is insane.

It's been Newsbin pretty much from the get go. The original buyers sent me letters with $10 checks. It was hosted on a shareware site for some time. This was back in the days of Windows 3. Which didn't even have internet access built in.

Dex has been talking to me about fixing a few bugs in the beta. I fired of the dev tools and took a look. I'm not going to say no. I'm a bit tired of chasing all the new formats. I've been considering a "If I don't see a recognizable filename, drop the post" model. Just basically toss all the "non-grouping into files" posts.

The one time charge thing has been a pretty good business model.