Newsbin has been a bit of a pioneer in the newsreader front which is saying a lot for a company and program that came later to the game than many of its competitors. What instantly made Newsbin different was the way it handled multithreaded news messages and its advanced server configurations which enabled users not only to dictate on how it utilizes specific Usenet account connections but how it prioritizes servers to either work as a slave, only downloading specific messages or as a master, allowing the account to download headers. A feature that would later become a standard in many newsreaders since.
Newsbin has been hard at work including new features with each release. The program offers SSL support, complete RAR processing from combining and repairing and using a built in PAR support function. Newsbin is also one of the first that began offering NZB support to its program as it became available. Most recently, Newsbin offers either Local or Internet searches that spans the complete range of newsgroups available, albeit at a premium charge.
Newsbin has remained consistent with charging a onetime fee for life for the newsreader with free updates available. Price comes up overtime to deal with inflation, but still remains competitive at $35.00.
The biggest issue that users tend to have the program is deciphering on how to use the program. Newsbin is not as straightforward as some others, and has become even more difficult to initially configure with the added features it has implemented over time. Newsbin attempts to tackle this issue with a very extensive knowledgebase on its website that covers everything from basic to more advanced configuration tutorials on the program. Additionally, the developers of the program are very active and responsive to answer questions users have on its forum.
Overall, Newsbin stays one step ahead of many, but still lacks certain stability and interface issues to be considered the Top contender in the market, but definitively comes in as a top three choice for most any user. It’s a given that if given some time to study and work at configuring the program the first go around, will make Usenet surfing fast and easy. However, if you’re looking for something simpler, this feature-rich application may not be for you. Newsbin is definitely a solid program that has demonstrated strength and kept itself updated by raising its own standards, and a hearty recommendation for serious Usenet users.
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