Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

Per409 reviewed v5.55 on Jul 12, 2010

After useing this program for over 10 years nothing else can compare with it "i've tried em all" .People who condemn it obviously have no idea how to download from newsgroups!

thebooda79 reviewed v5.0 on Feb 10, 2009

I have used NewsBin Pro so long now I can't remember exactly how long it has been. Over 10 years! The developers continually update their software. Support from the authors and users on the NewsBin forums is second to none. The $35 registration price is beyond fair and includes lifetime upgrades. I have tried many of the other competitors and none come close to NewsBin! Download it, try it, you will love it, then buy it!

radiomaffia reviewed v5.0 on Nov 20, 2008

I do not know why it hasn't been update here to 5.42 (build 8974) but that is where we at the moment I'm writing. Vista support and language support, getting better each new version and is absolutily growing out childstage..I think 35 dollars is worth the money to support this tool and have trust in it, it wil become perfect (www.newsbin.com for the latest version)!For now 4 stars and maybe in the future 5!

kashin reviewed v5.0 on Feb 9, 2008

I've been keeping on eye on this program since v3.xx hoping it would get better. After several years you'd think the developer would take a few days and work on the interface and options layout a little, but no. This thing is a mess and looks as disgusting as it did years ago. I'm sorry, but I'm not about to pay money for something that looks like a 12 year old kid programmed in his parents' basement in his spare time. Aside from that, this program actually got worse when going from v4.xx to v5.xx and introduced new bugs and random crashes. You're better off using a free alternative than paying for this monstrosity.

armpit reviewed v5.0 on Mar 17, 2007

Not the most easy app to setup, really bad settings layout. Worst interface ever, Newsleecher is clearly superior.

comeoffit reviewed v5.0 on Nov 23, 2006

NewsBin works well if you can figure out how to really use it. But the interface is convoluted and confusing, with settings here and there, duplicated, and some not working at all. It's got to be one of the worst interfaces and most confusing pieces of software I've seen. Yet it should be so simple!

Some things are just plain junky as well... Change config directories, for example, and does it prompt you to exit the application so it can move your settings? No, it creates all-new settings, and leaves the old ones just lying around! It doesn't even copy all the settings over, such as the signature database. Weak, really weak.

Conjo reviewed v5.0 on May 2, 2006

Best usenet software so far.

Must confess you need to learn a bit about how to use this application and mabey even read the tutorial to get used of all the options. If you like to use NZB's then you can create a folder where you can save the NZB's and Newsbin will auto download all for you. Excelent software for the user with some skill.

* * * * * thumbs up!

Morningdove reviewed v5.0 on Oct 3, 2005

I have been a Newbin Pro fan since very early v4. This photo shows version 4 which is very different since v5 is a complete rewrite. I don't believe v5 is ready for prime-time. There are too many problems to describe in this short comment, but my main issue is all verisons of the program after v4.22 fail to consider dial-up users. The statis bars and thumbnails are "herky-jerky" and v5 doesn't show the thumbnail until the download has completed.

I won't give up on Newsbin Pro yet, but will continue to use v4 and monitor it's progression for a while. I will stop using the program if the author doesn't eventually consider the needs of the dial-up user.

One last comment, the final issue of v4 is still and probably always remain in beta state.

zridling reviewed v5.0 on Oct 3, 2005

I installed this version for the first time in my life, and within one day it gave me a 10-day nag notice. Whoa. Newsbin Pro seems to be built for speed over convenience, there are lots of buttons inside that just don't work, such as the AutoRAR Refresh button and many keyboard shortcuts that don't perform their operations. Also, you cannot post to a newsgroup with NewsBin Pro — not even a text file! Although Newsbin Pro is easy to configure, I like the smoother and faster NewsLeecher and Xnews for daily usenet.

deadmonkey reviewed v4.32 on Aug 27, 2004

i bought NewsBinPro a few months ago and really wish I hadn't now :(

httpd.confused reviewed v4.31 on Jun 6, 2004

This version (per the author's own admission) works fine for some users, and gives others real trouble. I stuck with version 4.22 myself, because 4.31 didn't work well for me (connections would hang, for one thing). Regarding the requirement for Administrative privileges, well, that might be understandable for a huge office suite, but a little utility like NewsBin Pro--whose only reason for being is to download binaries from Usenet--has no excuse.

roj reviewed v4.31 on May 20, 2004

Quite a reasonable product - shows potential. As to the comment about running under administrator priveleges, I guess that individual doesn't use much COTS. More than one major office suite out there (for example WordPerfect Office) pretty much requires admin priveleges to function properly, as do many other commercial and shareware applications. Nitpicking on those grounds is pretty much a self-application of his own comment on the software.

scodan reviewed v4.22 Build 4495 on Nov 24, 2003

Not too bad, but the interface sucks, and nothing is intuitive at all. The documentation blows as well. The worst bit is, though, that you HAVE to run NewsBin Pro with administrative privileges--which is ASININE beyone belief.

SpiritHex reviewed v4.12 Build 4278 on Jun 17, 2003

NewsPro is much better, more powerful overall

Jobey reviewed v4.1 Beta 11 on Mar 14, 2003

Good program. Been using this program for a couple years now even through all the bug fixes). Can't wait for next version which will hopefully add more features, but this is probably the best automatic newsreader program out there.

buggernuts reviewed v4.1 Beta 9 on Feb 17, 2003

I have to disagree with the previous poster's comments. I use Newsbin ... have done for quite a long time. I find it stable and functional. I usually leave it open for 3 or 4 days at a time without closing it ... unless there's a new version out.

This software is great. Add a few extra features and it'll be perfect.

Roll on Version 5.

jinno reviewed v4.1 Beta 9 on Feb 17, 2003

still the same as my previous comments
Programs are still fragile. Downloads bunches of files....
( just one connections) and you hit retrieve new headers,
very often, program chokes. ( Not responding)
The most annoying factor is if you close the program and relauch it, it remembers old download lists and start downloading old ones as (copy of xxx)
If you just leave the programs running ...after it downloaded files ...... hit " get new headers" ..the same thing will happen. ( Not responding..)
Why this program is so fragile compared to Forte Agent...
which you can just leave it open for 10 hours...or 16 hours.... and you come back and hit retrieve headers...
it will retrieve headers.
Hope programmers work on STABILITY. According to the release not, this is the last 4.x..and they work on V5.
Again, STABILITY SHOULD COME FIRST!!!!

------------------------------------------------------------
Beta 4.1B7 Build 4066 Position: Still the same as previous review Yes, I am a reg user. I really want a more stable program. If you run this program (idle) for several minutes, and when you come back to retrive headers, most of the time, program freezes... (Program not responding).... and you must kill the process and start all over again. Serious memory leak...... Version Reviewed: 4.1 Beta 4 Reviewed by: jinno Date: January 16th, 2003 1:00 AM

jinno reviewed v4.1 Beta 7 on Feb 6, 2003

Beta 4.1B7 Build 4066
Position: Still the same as previous review
Yes, I am a reg user.
I really want a more stable program. If you run this program (idle) for several minutes, and when you come back
to retrive headers, most of the time, program freezes...
(Program not responding).... and you must kill the process
and start all over again. Serious memory leak......

Version Reviewed: 4.1 Beta 4
Reviewed by: jinno
Date: January 16th, 2003 1:00 AM

jinno reviewed v4.1 Beta 4 on Jan 16, 2003

Author/Company has mentioned that these(item 1 and 2 below)will be included in Version 5. Until they are there, I must still rate this program as 3/5. Also note, I am a registered user.
1- Font ...Font option should be included. With higher resolution, it gets very difficult to read headers ..it does not even have option to use bold type.
2- Unicode.. on various occasions, there are strange people in newsgroup who forces you to read unicode as header as well as file name. These people pretend that everyone must use outlook express or something to download binary files described in Japanese or Chinese or Korean.
3 - This is a serious one...compared to Forte Agent, newsbin has been this way. If you leave a program running....even in background, and you come back to the program later (at this moment, of course all the downloads were finished) and you click to retrieve headers....then, newsbin chokes. ( No responding)..... Agent, even one hour later, it will work to retrieve headers as if nothing had happened. This happens even in the middle of massive download ( let's say 3 connections and you hit to download new headers...... 9 out 10, Newsbin freezes...and die.
4 - when posting something (not binary ..but just a response to someone)...and when post module does not return Post completed or failed message, you cannot kill it. I.e. only way is to use taskmanager and kill Newsbin itself.
5- Unlike Forte Agent, you cannot "mark retrive" . ie. when one select items, you cannot go to other newsgroup to
mark items. All they have to do is create Mark Retrieve and ( Now download) button.

Triad reviewed v4.1 Beta 2 on Jan 7, 2003

Awesome.

jinno reviewed v4.0 Pre Release 3 Build 3732 on Jun 3, 2002

Broadband...a trend is going to be this way
Cable companies will limit access in two ways. One to charge more for people who download more. And at the same time, total number of simultaneous connections will be limited to 2. Serious downloaders ends up with having a backup newserver (i.e commercial newservers)
If this bcomes a main stream...so called new functions suchas " multiple servers, multiple connections" mean
leass important. Then, what's important ? Stability.

mhinck reviewed v4.0 Pre Release on May 2, 2002

Newsbin Pro is an excellent app and 4.0 is the best of the bunch. I highly recommend paying the fee because they are very good to their paying customers (free upgrade from 3 to 4).

flatlyne2001 reviewed v4.0 Pre Release on May 2, 2002

The latest version is great. Quick check box options like: show only new, show incomplete make it alot easier than having to jump into preferences all the time. Not to mention color coding of new/old posts helps alot too.

I just wish that it released connection better, as I can only have limited number of connections from my provider and sometimes it just hangs until I shut it down

abischof reviewed v4.0 Beta 16 on Dec 6, 2001

NewsBin Pro looks quite promising, but does anyone know of a freeware alternative?

Death-Axe reviewed v4.0 Beta 14 on Nov 22, 2001

excellent proggy. i use to dl alot of pics..

obvious reviewed v3.32 Beta 3 on Jul 4, 2001

NewsBin Pro is the best binary newsgroup downloader bar none. It allows downloading across multiple servers and/or groups. The author releases regular updates to accomodate user requests and is always quick to respond to support/feature requests. It has no ads and doesn't phone home which is incredible considering that 98% of the copies out there are cracked (author's estimate). For power users it features a flexible automatic scanning/downloading mode based on user definable regular expression subject/filename/size filters. If you download binaries from neswgroups, buy this program. (I've got all sorts of cracked software 'under evaluation' on my PC but NewsBin deserved my cash.

Scytale reviewed v3.31 Beta 6 Build 2433 on Mar 27, 2001

You can find the change log here:
http://www.newsbin.com/nblatest.htm

As for the program itself, it seems pretty good. But the fatal flaw, IMHO, is that you cannot have it show 'only new posts'. You can sort on the different columns, but if you want to see the new posts sorted by subject you are out of luck. In large groups it takes forever to look through the list of all headers that are retained on your server. If that capability were added, I would probably use it. Until then, I'll stick with Agent.

FTLNewsFeed reviewed v3.31 Beta 6 Build 2433 on Mar 26, 2001

I havn't tried Newsgrabber but I do use Agent and even though I love Agent it will not combine multiple servers to create complete posts like this program can. I use Road Runner's and Usenetserver.com's nntp servers and this program will poll both servers, remove duplicate posts and then combine missing parts from one server with the missing parts from the other server to form a complete binary post. Then the great thing is it allows the ordering of servers so that it will get parts from my free server RR first and then whatever part is missing or RR refuses to give it gets from my pay news server so I dont eat into my monthly limit as much as if I used Agent to get the complete post from the pay server.

FunkyFreddy3k reviewed v3.31 Beta 5 on Mar 20, 2001

Good program, but Im only givin it a 3 cos the author still doesnt tell us "whats new" in this release on here :P

bobad reviewed v3.31 Beta 5 on Mar 20, 2001

This is the most confusing program I have ever used. It's nearly impossible to tell what the program is doing, and it's not intuitive at all. It has a couple of nice features which are totally wasted on such a totally illogical program. To use this program , one would have to want pr0n very badly. Very badly! If you want a logical and more versatile program, get Agent or Free Agent and leave this confusing program alone. My opinion!

FunkyFreddy3k reviewed v3.31 Beta 4 on Mar 12, 2001

Good program. but it annoys me when programs appear on this site without a list of what is new in this version.

Why do I need this version? Unless there is a list of what is new, then there is nothing to convince me to bother downloading it.

MeToYou reviewed v3.31 Beta 2 Build 2406 on Feb 16, 2001

Does this support multiple servers? And not just a list of servers where you have to check one after the other, I mean where it will scan all servers you specify and then combine the message lists into a single one, having removed duplicates and collected any parts available from different servers? I have found that TronTech's NewsGrabber is the only newsreader available today that can do that!

i_meister reviewed v3.3 Build 2387 on Dec 11, 2000

Exellent program - superior to AutoPix in several ways. Easily configured, very customizable, FILTERS (Thank God), and multiple simultaneous connections (great for Cable/DSL internet junkies like myself). Rock-like stability. Comes with a default list of popular groups so you don't necessarily have to download the entire group list (which on slow connections takes FOREVER). I highly recommend it.