Can somebody please explain NZB rentention...

...I get the following

A server hosts a file for 420 days,
The index shows how old the file is
A service provider gives you access to 200 days

What I don't get is why can one service provider see and access a file for 420days and another only 200 days yet it is the same file

Call me dumb but I just don't get it.

just the way it is mate...
virgins retention is only 14 days ??
depends on the quality of the server you buy ....
the better more expensive servers have loads of retention (storage on the servers before they wipe it)

personally i use 2 servers...virgin for free for tv shows new music etc..
i use astra for older stuff (good retention) but costs !

Read Slycks explanation, it makes more sense than I could explain it.

Slyck.com - Guide To The Usenet Newsgroups - News Servers Intro

Oh I see the service provider i.e. Astra holds the info.

I currently use Hitnews as it's cheap, like the budgie but only offers 200days which uses to be enough but not a lot of stuff seems to be 300+ days

ms2005 said:

Oh I see the service provider i.e. Astra holds the info.

I currently use Hitnews as it's cheap, like the budgie but only offers 200days which uses to be enough but not a lot of stuff seems to be 300+ days

Click to expand...

Suppose it depends what you are after, if you keep up to date then 200 days is more than enough but if you need older stuff then maybe not. Personally I use ngroups, works out just over £6/month for unlimited.
They have an offer at the minute called Octoberfest...yeah I know its November but it is opened until November 30th.

Quite a good deal and over 400 days retention.

ms2005 said:

...I get the following

A server hosts a file for 420 days,
The index shows how old the file is
A service provider gives you access to 200 days

What I don't get is why can one service provider see and access a file for 420days and another only 200 days yet it is the same file

Call me dumb but I just don't get it.

Click to expand...

I think an explanation as to how newsgroups work might be useful here. I am no expert but I have been using usenet for years now.

When someone adds a file to usenet they upload it using a program that posts the file to the servers of their provider. This file is then propagated to other server farms with the usenet group. These server farms will certainly be that of the provider but the file will also make its way onto server farms of other providers.

You then get indexing servers that index the files in usenet providing the user with a pointer to the file. If the user wants to download the file they retrieve it from the server farm of their specific provider.

As different providers retain the file for differnet lengths of time (retention) this can be a factor when deciding which provider to use.

Hope this helps and I am no trying to tell you all how to suck eggs lol.

Enticy