Newsgroups

Newsgroups are (apart from IRC) probably the oldest form of file sharing / downloading / P2P(ish) I know of.

I've used newsgroups as long as I've used computers, back in the days of outlook express newsgroups I had access to 20,000+ newsgroups although they weren't brilliant.

About 5 years ago when I moved up to broadband with Pipex, I had access to their newsgroups, again more than 20,000 and again not brilliant,
I then tried out Easynews, the first difference being I had to pay (Yes Lee, Pay !!!!) for this, $9.98 per month for 4Gb usage per month, however there were more groups and the retention was 30 odd days, the retention meant the files stayed on the servers longer and therefore had better availability for everyone.

Over the years the price has stayed the same, but the usage increased to 6Gb, 10Gb and now 20Gb per month.

I have not had a single problem with Easynews. the search pages are great, the Zip Manager is great and all in all, I would and have recommended him to anyone.

NOW...
I read on NewZbin, Giganews, a similar service had a retention of 120 days, which they have now increased to 200 days.

they also have a different levels of usage plans

• Bronze - 2Gb/Month for $7.99
• Sliver - 25Gb/Month for $12.99
• Platinum -Unlimited/Month for $24.99
• Diamond - Unlimited/Month (plus SSL) for $29.99 ($19.99 for first Month)

I'm not, and never have been sure of the legal implications of newsgroups, you can download all types of files from newsgroups as you can with torrents etc, I guess the difference being you are not uploading files, which made P2P illegal.

I am not yet tempted, unlimited access and longer retention just mean my broadband connection get hammered more, giving the ISPs more reason and justification for limiting & throttling my download speed.

Im Moving to Sweden.. .....................................
.I'm not really, but this report states a 75 year old woman has a 40Gpbs internet connection, that's not just opening the gates, thats ploughing the whole field.

What does a 75 year old woman with an internet connection that fast....

In fact. I don't want to know.

Silver "Bullet" surfing indeed.

Heres the letter from Pipex that's got me into a rage

Dear Damian Byrne
Important notice regarding your broadband usage

Pipex introduced network traffic management in 2005 to help manage the network and provide a fair service for all our customers particularly during busy periods of the day. The usage behaviour of a small minority of our customer abase has led us to introduce, with immediate effect, a Fair Use policy online at www.pipex.co.uk/legal.

We have established that your usage levels are in excess of the levels we would expect for normal home use, and your behaviour along with a small number of other customers may be having a detrimental effect on the service available for the majority of the Pipex customer base.

How do you define "Normal"

We would like you to change your usage behaviour immediately or let us know if you think we have got this wrong, If we don't see a reduction in your usage in the next 14 days we will contact you and may take further action.

In addition to changing your usage behaviour there are a number of alternatives for you to consider:

* You can move to our Midi broadband product which has a usage allowance of 15GB a month with the option to purchase more allowance on a monthly basis. We would allow you to continue with your current level of usage on this product as long as you confirm in writing to us that you are complying with our Acceptable Use Policy and using your connection for normal home use.

* You can switch to our sister company Bulldog Broadband where the service may be more suited to your needs. You will need to purchase a telephone service and line rental with a new 12 month contract.We advise that you visit bulldogbroadband.com first to check that you can receive their service. If you then decide to take this option please call us on 0800 107 5902 to request a MAC code.

* You can switch to an alternative provider that offers you unrestricted use of your broadband connection. If you wish to take this option then please call us on 0800 107 5902 to request a MAC code.

Finally, please can you confirm to us in writing within the next 14 days using the attached form that you are complying and will continue to comply with our Fair Use and Acceptable Use Policies

...and My Response

Dear Mr Carberry

With reference to your letter dated 22 February 2007,

I understand the need for Pipex to introduce a fair use policy at Pipex however would like to comment on your letter.

“We have established that your usage levels are in excess of the levels we would expect for normal home use.”

I would like to know what you define as “Normal” for home use, at no point in your letter do you define;

a - Normal levels are for home usage

b - My usage that has prompted such a threatening letter

“We would like you to change your usage behaviour immediately.”

I am disgusted by this statement when, you have already implemented traffic management on my connection, thus restricting my 8Mb connection to no more than 50kbps at best, and 10kbps on average. Clearly this is something that has been done on purpose as my telephone call with your Technical Support department (a lady by the name of Abi) confirmed, I also find extremely upsetting that despite my emails and phone calls querying my connection problems (Call reference **** ***) you failed to tell me that this was happening, wasting my time and money testing and replacing my own equipment as well as emails and phone calls to your technical support department. I was told that these restrictions are reviewed every Saturday, was I told this to get me off the telephone, or do you really do this kind of work at the weekend?

You have then given me 3 options.

1. Move to Midi
2. Switch to Bulldog
3. Switch to another ISP

1. I chose Pipex Max for the specific reason you sell the product for, as quoted on your site (www.pipex.com) “Comes with Unlimited monthly usage allowance. Tailor made if you're always on the internet” If I wanted to be restricted, I would have chosen Pipex Midi and paid for extra.

2. I cannot switch to Bulldog. When going to their site and inputting my details, I am redirected back to Pipex. Not very helpful

3. Switch to another ISP – This really is my other option. I have been a loyal and long time customer of Pipex since you started back in 2001, (Previous username ******), although I have had a few problems, these have been dealt with promptly, I have recommended you to at least 5 of my friends and co-workers and even recommended you to my company, who still use your company’s services. (Company Name). I agree my download usage may have been higher than before, this is due to moving home, (hence the change in username), and as such, purchased an Xbox games console and High Definition TV, my gaming habits have now changed In that I play online, as well as this, I have also downloaded High Definition content for the purpose of trying out on the TV. The HD downloading has now stopped however, thus my download habits will revert back.

It is quite clear to me that now Pipex is established and “making money” you’d rather these very same users that help build your company, are being “punished” I am sure the majority of these users have been with Pipex from the outset, as you were one of the first to offer 512kbps broadband to home users, we have stayed while you as you grew.

I am sure you do not issue letters in this way in a business to business environment. Do you not think residential users being sent letters such as the one you have sent me would encourage people to have their business from Pipex. My company spend at least £26000 per year for 2 leased lines. Not only could this be obtained elsewhere, could also be obtained for less than half this cost.

Finally, you ask that I send back the form agreeing to comply with your FUP and AUP. Unfortunately, I do not agree with these, especially when you have already implemented what you threatened to do, without the 14 day warning, and even more so, without advising me my actual level of usage. If you lift the restriction on my connection however I will agree to the following

• Ensure "Company" continues to use Pipex for its business use for the foreseeable future
• Limit my download speed (bandwidth)
• Limit my download time to off peak only

In the meantime please would you advise what you define as Acceptable or Fair Usage.

I would appreciate a prompt response to this letter, however feel I will either get a standard template response, no response at all or further threatening letters.

I have also emailed a copy to

mark.carberry@pipex.net
Postmaster for the Attention of Mark Carberry
Pipex Customer Services
Network Infrastructure Manager – Company
Friends and co-workers whom I have recommended Pipex to;