| Sysop: | Amessyroom |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fayetteville, NC |
| Users: | 27 |
| Nodes: | 6 (0 / 6) |
| Uptime: | 40:27:05 |
| Calls: | 631 |
| Calls today: | 2 |
| Files: | 1,187 |
| D/L today: |
24 files (29,813K bytes) |
| Messages: | 174,392 |
Honestly, given all the censorship, I thought Usenet might have had a renaissance of new users who are sick of being told what they can and can't talk about. Sadly, I appear to have been wrong.
On 2025-10-02 12:03:59 +0000, Carlos E.R. said:
On 2025-10-01 20:41, Marco Moock wrote:
Am 01.10.2025 13:51 Uhr schrieb Carlos E.R.:
I would prefer an European server even if I have to pay.
Tell us why!
Proximity, for starters.
Proximity on the internet is rather meaningless. A server on the other
side of the planet can be faster than a server in the same city as you.
In alt.free.newsservers Your Name <YourName@yourisp.com> wrote:
On 2025-10-02 12:03:59 +0000, Carlos E.R. said:
On 2025-10-01 20:41, Marco Moock wrote:
Am 01.10.2025 13:51 Uhr schrieb Carlos E.R.:
I would prefer an European server even if I have to pay.
Tell us why!
Proximity, for starters.
Proximity on the internet is rather meaningless. A server on the other
side of the planet can be faster than a server in the same city as you.
The Australian news server I'm using (from Australia):
PING news.ausics.net (120.88.115.158): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=0 ttl=48 time=164.1 ms
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=1 ttl=48 time=87.9 ms
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=2 ttl=48 time=113.1 ms
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=3 ttl=48 time=69.1 ms
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=4 ttl=48 time=68.2 ms
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=5 ttl=48 time=68.0 ms
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=6 ttl=48 time=68.3 ms
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=7 ttl=48 time=68.3 ms
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=8 ttl=48 time=68.5 ms
64 bytes from 120.88.115.158: icmp_seq=9 ttl=48 time=68.4 ms
news.individual.net in Germany:
PING news.individual.net (130.133.4.11): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=0 ttl=36 time=345.6 ms
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=1 ttl=36 time=359.4 ms
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=2 ttl=36 time=399.5 ms
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=3 ttl=36 time=359.7 ms
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=4 ttl=36 time=399.8 ms
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=5 ttl=36 time=359.8 ms
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=6 ttl=36 time=339.7 ms
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=7 ttl=36 time=356.9 ms
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=8 ttl=36 time=399.9 ms
64 bytes from 130.133.4.11: icmp_seq=9 ttl=36 time=359.9 ms
Of course maybe news.individual.net is much slower, but since I've
seen the same thing a lot of times with different servers (mirror
sites for Linux packages mainly), I doubt it.
I also tested four other overseas news servers (Netfront, Paganini,
Mixmin, and Neodome) and they all have minimum ping times between
320 and 420 ms, so either Ausics is amazingly fast or yes,
geography matters.
It is noticable with the delay between pressing 'n' in Tin and seeing
the next post.
My ISP also now seems to secretly throttle download speeds from
overseas servers to under ~3Mbit/s, but since downloads start quick
then slow down to the limit after a few seconds it can be overcome
by continually opening new connections during the download
(although that's not kind to the server, so I only do it to my own
overseas VPS). I guess it's so webpages load fast but they don't
want people doing large downloads at higher speeds due to limited
bandwidth over the intercontinental links?
Of course maybe news.individual.net is much slower, but since I'veYes, it is the distance.
seen the same thing a lot of times with different servers (mirror
sites for Linux packages mainly), I doubt it.
I also tested four other overseas news servers (Netfront, Paganini,
Mixmin, and Neodome) and they all have minimum ping times between
320 and 420 ms, so either Ausics is amazingly fast or yes,
geography matters. It is noticable with the delay between pressing
'n' in Tin and seeing the next post.
I subscribe to several political newsgroups for the sole purpose of
junking political crossposts. My newsreader cleans up Xrefs --
crossposts -- in every group in the crosspost. I then enter rec.arts.tv >largely free of junk.
Proximity, for starters.
Proximity on the internet is rather meaningless. A server on the other
side of the planet can be faster than a server in the same city as you.
I've used them for years. This is very disappointing. I hope that, when
the end comes, there will be a dependable alternative.
--Robin
Maybe we could start a group on Facebook?
Wed, 1 Oct 2025 03:56:58 -0000 (UTC), Adam H. Kerman <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:
I subscribe to several political newsgroups for the sole purpose of
junking political crossposts. My newsreader cleans up Xrefs --
crossposts -- in every group in the crosspost. I then enter rec.arts.tv >>largely free of junk.
Sounds like an excellent idea that I should adopt.
Which newsreader are you using and who is your Usenet provider? (Agent
8 and Easynews here - but then Easynews is great for binaries which
I'm big on though I know many here aren't)
Agent 8 has pretty good filters though I'm still at the beginner level
on their filters
On Wed, 1 Oct 2025 03:56:58 -0000 (UTC), "Adam H. Kerman"
<ahk@chinet.com> wrote:
I subscribe to several political newsgroups for the sole purpose ofSounds like an excellent idea that I should adopt.
junking political crossposts. My newsreader cleans up Xrefs --
crossposts -- in every group in the crosspost. I then enter rec.arts.tv >>largely free of junk.
Which newsreader are you using and who is your Usenet provider? (Agent
8 and Easynews here - but then Easynews is great for binaries which
I'm big on though I know many here aren't)
Agent 8 has pretty good filters though I'm still at the beginner level
on their filters
On Fri, 3 Oct 2025 08:45:47 +1300, Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com>
wrote:
Proximity, for starters.
Proximity on the internet is rather meaningless. A server on the other >>side of the planet can be faster than a server in the same city as you.
Yup - have verified this multiple times using "speed tests" offered by
my ISP. Obviously it's easier if you're in a big city since there are
fewer jumps.
On Wed, 1 Oct 2025 11:28:09 -0700, anim8rfsk <anim8rfsk@cox.net>
wrote:
I've used them for years. This is very disappointing. I hope that, when >>> the end comes, there will be a dependable alternative.
--Robin
Maybe we could start a group on Facebook?
Barf!
(But then perhaps I'm just massively bummed this morning due to the
passing of a cousin in the US Midwest who I hadn't seen in 10+ years -
who happens to be the first of my generation of blood relatives to go
- and finding my dog out on the street who seems to have escaped
through a new hole in my fence apparently created by a bear)
On 2025-10-05 21:34:35 +0000, Computer Nerd Kev said:
In alt.free.newsservers Your Name <YourName@yourisp.com> wrote:
On 2025-10-02 12:03:59 +0000, Carlos E.R. said:[snip]
On 2025-10-01 20:41, Marco Moock wrote:
Am 01.10.2025 13:51 Uhr schrieb Carlos E.R.:
I would prefer an European server even if I have to pay.
Tell us why!
Proximity, for starters.
Proximity on the internet is rather meaningless. A server on the other
side of the planet can be faster than a server in the same city as you.
I also tested four other overseas news servers (Netfront, Paganini,
Mixmin, and Neodome) and they all have minimum ping times between
320 and 420 ms, so either Ausics is amazingly fast or yes,
geography matters.
I said "can be" ... not "always is". :-)
It is noticable with the delay between pressing 'n' in Tin and seeing
the next post.
My ISP also now seems to secretly throttle download speeds from
overseas servers to under ~3Mbit/s, but since downloads start quick
then slow down to the limit after a few seconds it can be overcome
by continually opening new connections during the download
(although that's not kind to the server, so I only do it to my own
overseas VPS). I guess it's so webpages load fast but they don't
want people doing large downloads at higher speeds due to limited
bandwidth over the intercontinental links?
Your ISP is just one of many many factors affecting connection speeds.
The Horny Goat <lcraver@home.ca> wrote:
Wed, 1 Oct 2025 03:56:58 -0000 (UTC), Adam H. Kerman <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:
I subscribe to several political newsgroups for the sole purpose of
junking political crossposts. My newsreader cleans up Xrefs --
crossposts -- in every group in the crosspost. I then enter rec.arts.tv
largely free of junk.
Sounds like an excellent idea that I should adopt.
Which newsreader are you using and who is your Usenet provider? (Agent
8 and Easynews here - but then Easynews is great for binaries which
I'm big on though I know many here aren't)
Agent 8 has pretty good filters though I'm still at the beginner level
on their filters
trn 4 and news.eternal-september.org
I've been using trn since Unix. You have to be useing it from the linux command line in your favorite shell like bash in a terminal emulation.
If you want a graphical interface, use slrn.
Not every newsreader cleans up Xrefs upon exiting a group.
In alt.free.newsservers Your Name <YourName@yourisp.com> wrote:
On 2025-10-05 21:34:35 +0000, Computer Nerd Kev said:
In alt.free.newsservers Your Name <YourName@yourisp.com> wrote:
On 2025-10-02 12:03:59 +0000, Carlos E.R. said:I also tested four other overseas news servers (Netfront, Paganini,
On 2025-10-01 20:41, Marco Moock wrote:
Am 01.10.2025 13:51 Uhr schrieb Carlos E.R.:
I would prefer an European server even if I have to pay.
Tell us why!
Proximity, for starters.
Proximity on the internet is rather meaningless. A server on the other >>> side of the planet can be faster than a server in the same city as you. >> [snip]
Mixmin, and Neodome) and they all have minimum ping times between
320 and 420 ms, so either Ausics is amazingly fast or yes,
geography matters.
I said "can be" ... not "always is". :-)
Yes I'm pretty sure the USA - Europe internet links are much
quicker so the possibility is more likely over them. But on the
topic of "proximity on the internet", it's not as you say "rather meaningless".
It is noticable with the delay between pressing 'n' in Tin and seeing
the next post.
My ISP also now seems to secretly throttle download speeds from
overseas servers to under ~3Mbit/s, but since downloads start quick
then slow down to the limit after a few seconds it can be overcome
by continually opening new connections during the download
(although that's not kind to the server, so I only do it to my own
overseas VPS). I guess it's so webpages load fast but they don't
want people doing large downloads at higher speeds due to limited
bandwidth over the intercontinental links?
Your ISP is just one of many many factors affecting connection speeds.
Well it's the same at another site using the same connection type
(mobile broadband) and different hardware (except the same phone
tower). Australian servers or sites using CDNs can get up to 30x the
download speed of overseas servers, whereas on fixed line
connections the overseas servers are always much quicker (without
using multiple connections). I'm not sure why they single-out mobile broadband for this treatment, maybe they think phone users won't
notice?
----- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
__ __
#_ < |\| |< _#
On 7 Oct 2025 07:27:04 +1000, nottelling.you. wrote:
In alt.free.newsservers Your Name <YourName@yourisp.com> wrote:
On 2025-10-05 21:34:35 +0000, Computer Nerd Kev said:
In alt.free.newsservers Your Name <YourName@yourisp.com> wrote:
On 2025-10-02 12:03:59 +0000, Carlos E.R. said:I also tested four other overseas news servers (Netfront, Paganini,
On 2025-10-01 20:41, Marco Moock wrote:
Am 01.10.2025 13:51 Uhr schrieb Carlos E.R.:
I would prefer an European server even if I have to pay.
Tell us why!
Proximity, for starters.
Proximity on the internet is rather meaningless. A server on the other >>>>> side of the planet can be faster than a server in the same city as you. >>>> [snip]
Mixmin, and Neodome) and they all have minimum ping times between
320 and 420 ms, so either Ausics is amazingly fast or yes,
geography matters.
I said "can be" ... not "always is". :-)
Yes I'm pretty sure the USA - Europe internet links are much
quicker so the possibility is more likely over them. But on the
topic of "proximity on the internet", it's not as you say "rather
meaningless".
There are good days and not so good days. Depends on congestion in general and an increase in streaming.
It is noticable with the delay between pressing 'n' in Tin and seeing
the next post.
My ISP also now seems to secretly throttle download speeds from
overseas servers to under ~3Mbit/s, but since downloads start quick
then slow down to the limit after a few seconds it can be overcome
by continually opening new connections during the download
(although that's not kind to the server, so I only do it to my own
overseas VPS). I guess it's so webpages load fast but they don't
want people doing large downloads at higher speeds due to limited
bandwidth over the intercontinental links?
Your ISP is just one of many many factors affecting connection speeds.
Well it's the same at another site using the same connection type
(mobile broadband) and different hardware (except the same phone
tower). Australian servers or sites using CDNs can get up to 30x the
download speed of overseas servers, whereas on fixed line
connections the overseas servers are always much quicker (without
using multiple connections). I'm not sure why they single-out mobile
broadband for this treatment, maybe they think phone users won't
notice?
Australia has some good communications systems. I work with some of
the teams managing them. Intense, but a good lot.
Plus does anyone really worry about speeds when talking about text
newsgroups on Usenet? For binaries I agree speed is an issue, but for
text I could probably use an old 56K modem and just be slowed down a
little bit over the gigabit connection I have now.
(But then perhaps I'm just massively bummed this morning due to the
passing of a cousin in the US Midwest who I hadn't seen in 10+ years -
who happens to be the first of my generation of blood relatives to go
- and finding my dog out on the street who seems to have escaped
through a new hole in my fence apparently created by a bear)
You've got bears digging holes to help dogs escape their imprisonment?
What the hell is going on up there?
On Mon, 06 Oct 2025 14:59:55 -0400, shawn
<nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> wrote:
(But then perhaps I'm just massively bummed this morning due to the
passing of a cousin in the US Midwest who I hadn't seen in 10+ years -
who happens to be the first of my generation of blood relatives to go
- and finding my dog out on the street who seems to have escaped
through a new hole in my fence apparently created by a bear)
You've got bears digging holes to help dogs escape their imprisonment?
What the hell is going on up there?
Ha ha ha - who said anything about digging? More like 'breaking slats'
than anything underground.