I currently have an arr-stack setup on my home server with qBittorrent, which works relatively well. However, I mainly have two issues with it:
- There is very little content available on BitTorrent in my native language (Dutch), not even on private trackers afaik
- There are many torrents which take days to download, or even worse get stuck (hate it when that happens, especially if it’s at 99%)
This got me interested in Usenet.
As for point 1, I found an NZB indexer which seems to have a lot more Dutch content. I still have some questions, however.
- I understand that apart from having access to indexers I’ll also need a Usenet provider. How big are the differences between providers? I can find plans between €2 and €20 per month; does it matter that much which I take, apart from retention rate and download speed? Do all providers host all newsgroups?
- As for point 2, I understand that if content is on a provider’s servers, then you will be able to download it with whatever speed your provider gives you. How much content will I actually be able to find? Why isn’t content constantly taken down?
- Is using a VPN recommended with Usenet?
It has been a while since I used Usenet, so instead of giving you possibly out of date info I will just link to this FYFM section which has way more info than I can give.
In particular I found this guide to be fairly easy to follow.
As for using a VPN: it can’t hurt!
That is THE guide afaik. I think it has some outdated advice, but largely seems still accurate.
Some unlimited plans ban for account sharing so if the vpn changes your IP more frequently than an internet provider changes your IP maybe it could get flagged. It doesn’t specifically break the rules in the ones I read though. Also on some usenet guides I’ve looked at it is recommended not to use vpn, but if it works and you live somewhere with shittier piracy laws why not.
Where I live if you get the letter you can ignore it and they can pound sand, but with vpn on torrents but not usenet I haven’t had the letter in years.