How to use Usenet???
 

I use Forte Agent, but no matter what server I type in, it can never connect??

I use USENET a lot, and whenever people ask me about it I always tell them to buy a subscription from giganews.com. Honestly, if you get yourself properly set up, it is the best resource there is for finding things on the internet. Much more reliable than torrent files.

Thanks, but do you think the bronze offer is enough if I just use it for download?

All their packages offer the same speeds, so it really just depends on how much you intend to download. You can always get the Bronze and upgrade it if you run out.

Thanks, but do they give clear instruction on what to enter where, to get access? So far I failed with the free service:><:

I found setting up my account very straight forward with their instructions, but it depends what newsreader you're using to connect. I use a Mac program called Thoth that's very well made, but I'm not sure if it's available on all platforms.

Look, anyone who can't even manage to use GigaNews probably does more harm to Usenet than good. Look for an endless series of leech requests on a.b.games real soon.

Do you guys also use the SSL Encryption option?

No, it's really not worth the extra money.

Ok, everything seems to work fine for me now.
Is there a useful website that can guide me to other good newsgroups and servers, like for movies, soundtracks, animes etc?
For example I can't find a.b.sounds.jpop on GigaNews.

You'll need to look for an archival site.

I go to NewZBin for all of my looking. Pay $2/month for their subscription, it's WELL worth it.

Mmhhh they claim to store infos about most headers, but it can't find anything when I search for something related to Ayumi:confused:

1. Register
2. Change retention to 90 days (That's their max, though Giganews' retention is 100)
3. Search again.

You can also use NZBsRus.com - Usenet Newsgroup NZB File Search Service as a good .nzb archival site. It doesnt cost a thing but you can only download like 5 .nzbs per day. The pop ups can be annoying at times.

I did some research about usenet awhile ago.

You basically have to pay to illegally download games, movies and music where you could have used that money in order to purchase the real thing. It entirely defeats the purpose of downloading something for free when you can't even access the source without being monitored via a service and have to pay for it on top of your own internet connection.

Providing your ISP doesn't suck goats you can probably use their own news server to connect to and download shit off of.

I don't know what kind of research you did to conclude that Usenet subscription price is in any way comparable to legitimately purchasing each item you can grab from there. Then again you're arguing about the principles of illegal downloading.

@Elixir: *lol*
You're always monitored when downloading from the standard sources. Who tells you that MegaUpload, Sendspace, RadidShare, etc. don't log IPs? IP logging data is a tiny fraction of the material they're hosting. This should not be problem at all.
Loading via edonkey, soulseek, bittorrent -> IP visible, so you can be monitored.

I don't know a whole lot about Usenet and I ought to just fucking google it but does it protect your IP or something?

I don't think they do. If subpoenaed they would have to turn over IP logs. I remember Newzbin taking some heat from users when they announced something in that nature a couple of years back--but then again, Newzbin is just an archival, not an actual service provider like Giganews.