Usenet FAQ
What is Usenet? Find the answers at Usenet FAQ
Usenet is an online discussion network set up for talking about particular topics through newsgroups. There are many different companies that offer Usenet services, along with different features and packages. See our choice for Best Usenet Service Provider.
What are Concurrent Connections / Streams?
Usenet FAQ
While using Usenet, you will find that most different servers will offer a variety of different plans with different connections. These connections are the number of simultaneous connections you can have under the same login information online at the same time. These can be from all different locations, but must be under the same login.
What is a Newsgroup
A newsgroup is a forum-like discussion board online through Usenet. Newsgroups can range from many different topics for every interest available. You can Network globally with over 100,000 discussion groups – text and binary. We have explained in great detail about Newsgroups in our guide What is a Newsgroup and How do I use them? Exchange ideas with millions of people on Usenet through UsenetServer.
Moderated and Unmoderated Newsgroups
A moderated newsgroup is a newsgroup discussion board hosted by a moderator or multiple moderators. This means that one person or a group of people oversees the posts of the newsgroup to make sure the rules are followed and questions are answered. Unmoderated newsgroups are similar to moderated newsgroups, except nobody watches over the board, meaning that anything can be said or posted. You will find out more about Newsgroups at our guide.
How Do I Post To A Newsgroup?
When posting to a newsgroup, you will need to download a newsreader. This is a program that shows your newsgroups that you are subscribed to. Within this program, you can select whatever newsgroup you would like to post to and just click write messages or post to newsgroup depending on your server. From here, you can type out your post, and just select the group and post them. It’s very simple! We hope our Usenet FAQ has made this easier to understand.
Usenet Download Speeds
Every different company that provides Usenet has different download speeds. These speeds can range from quite slow to just as fast as your internet speed. The faster speed you have, the quicker you can download, upload, post, access and read different things on Usenet.
What is a Newsreaders
A newsreader is a software program that allows you to read and post messages that belong to different newsgroups. Be sure to review our Best Newsreader.
Usenet – Technical details
Nine Hierarchies of Newsgroups
Within the Usenet world, all newsgroups are organized into nine different categories:
- comp.* (computer related discussions)
- humanities.* (philosophy, literature and arts discussions)
- misc.* (miscellaneous discussions)
- news.* (news discussions)
- rec.* (recreational and entertainment discussions)
- sci.* (science discussions)
- soc.* (social discussions)
- talk.* (controversial topic discussions)
- alt.* (alternative discussions)
You will find out more about Newsgroups at our guide What are News Groups Hierarchy? The Big 8!
Binary Content
Usenet is split up into two different sections: text and binary. Binary content is content too big or different from text like files, photos and videos that are accessed as binary information to transfer as tons of little segments as opposed to one big file. This makes transfer and download much faster. If you want to know more about Binaries read our post about: What is a Binary File? Usenet Binaries Explained.
Binary Retention Time
Binary retention time is usually calculated in days and is the amount of time that something of binary stays available on a certain newsgroup. The higher the retention time, the longer the binary files will stay available.
Usenet History
Usenet started out as an idea of a program used to transfer information between two connected computers in 1979. Starting out with being able to transfer a few files a day, it has grown into being able to transfer thousands of files every minute from everywhere in the world.
Usenet Propagation
Propagation is the method of distribution from one system to another. Once a file or article is uploaded to a newsgroup, the Usenet servers will use propagation to move the article around the world.
What is Newsgroups Retention?
Newsgroups retention is usually calculated in days and refers to the amount of time that certain files and articles will stay active for transfer and viewing on different newsgroups.
Usenet FAQ
What is Newsgroup Completion?
Newsgroup completion is the number of articles and files that a certain Usenet server will have compared to the number of articles and files available. Most good Usenet providers have 99% completion across their newsgroups.
Newsgroup Peering
Newsgroup peering is an arrangement that various Usenet providers will have among each other to share around information. This means that if you are on one provider, they can have peering arrangements with another to keep their information up to date and available.
Technology
What is a Usenet provider?
A Usenet provider is a company that offers Usenet services within different packages and bundles. Every provider offers different features in their packages for different prices and different information. Often, on the Usenet providers website, you can find an outline of their features.
What are headers?
Usenet FAQ
Headers are listed on every newsgroup message to inform the user what the article is. These headers can have a variety of information on them ranging from dates, content and subjects.
What is the difference between a block account and an unlimited account?
Both of these accounts are subscriptions you can pay for with various Usenet providers to get different features. A block account is an account that lets you buy a certain amount of downloads space on a server while an unlimited account is one that lets you pay by month to get a certain amount every month. A heavy Usenet user should opt for an unlimited account while a light user might want a block account.
What is a PAR and RAR?
PAR and RAR are file types that are sent though Usenet servers. A RAR is a technique used for compressing files and then dividing them into a bunch of little pieces. Usually, large files will use RAR. A PAR file is a file that will find and recover missing or corrupted pieces of a larger file. PAR files often accompany a RAR file for collection afterwards.
Usenet FAQ
Should I use a VPN provider with Usenet?
Many Usenet providers offer a VPN service to encrypt your location, data and identity while online. This can be important while using Usenet to protect yourself from hackers or thieves trying to track or steal your information. UsenetServer also offers a VPN service
Should I connect through SSL?
Connecting through an SSL (Secure Socket Layers) is a technology connected through the links between a Usenet server and your computer that will encrypt the connection to hide your sensitive information such as banking numbers, emails and logins. If you are worried about the connection being open to your computer, it is important that you do have SSL connections.
We hope you found your answers at Usenet FAQ .