About servers... I want old posts too.

[crosgrove]

Got a question. I am using a premium Usenet news service, and am hitting a bad snag. I can search for, and find posts up to 10 years old, but trying to retrieve anything over 3 years old yields the "Failed: 430 no such article..." message.

Any suggestions on services that are reasonably priced ANY retain for a fair amount of time?

Thanks!

[crosgrove]

Nevemind--just found https://forums.newsbin.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43575

[dexter]

Really old posts might be hard to get no matter what server you use. Either they've been DMCA'd or suffer bit rot. You can get a free trial on some services so you can test it out before committing.

[Quade]

Usenetserver has stuff from 3000-3500 days ago that can still be download. That's only if it hasn't already been removed. There are two issues to consider.

1 - How far back in time does the server normally go?

2 - Are you trying to download something that was purposefully removed already?

[crosgrove]

Usenetserver has stuff from 3000-3500 days ago that can still be download. That's only if it hasn't already been removed. There are two issues to consider.

1 - How far back in time does the server normally go?

2 - Are you trying to download something that was purposefully removed already?

Good question. I am subscribed to the Newsbin search feature, so when it finds something in a search, I assume it has not been forcefully deleted. However, having said that, your searches turn up stuff as far back as '08, and I assume those posts are long since purged. My success rate so far has been:

Supernews: 2.2 years retention.
Altopia: 1.1 years retention.

I am going to try Usenetserver, and see how that does... 14 day free trial, so... can't hurt!

[Quade]

Good question. I am subscribed to the Newsbin search feature, so when it finds something in a search, I assume it has not been forcefully deleted.

It's two completely different servers and there's no connection between them. So, the fact it's on search doesn't mean it'll be on your news server. It only means it's been on some server at some point of time.

Altopia: 1.1 years retention.

Altopia's binary retention wasn't much more than 2-3 days for awhile. Now it seems like it's about a month. I like Altopia but you're unlikely to get really old posts from them. They're best for really new posts.

[crosgrove]

Usenetserver has stuff from 3000-3500 days ago that can still be download. That's only if it hasn't already been removed. There are two issues to consider.

1 - How far back in time does the server normally go?

2 - Are you trying to download something that was purposefully removed already?

Good question. I am subscribed to the Newsbin search feature, so when it finds something in a search, I assume it has not been forcefully deleted. However, having said that, your searches turn up stuff as far back as '08, and I assume those posts are long since purged. My success rate so far has been:

Supernews: 2.2 years retention.
Altopia: 1.1 years retention.

I am going to try Usenetserver, and see how that does... 14 day free trial, so... can't hurt!

Usenetserver had the file I wanted!

And just to torture test it, I pulled a binary from 2008 off their server. I think I am sold.

Thanks for the suggest!

[crosgrove]

I am constantly pulling stuff 5-6 years old from Usenetserver...

They are a workhorse!