Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
In the age of YouTube, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and RSS, the old world of newsreaders has lost some of its profile from the technology landscape. But newsreaders remain a reliable method of tracking info related to a narrow focus among an engaged community of followers. This app answers the yearning for an up-to-date newsreader.
Many newsreaders have cluttered interfaces with confusing steps for searching and downloading info. Ozum Newsreader launches a nicely designed, user-friendly interface that keeps its use simple, easy to comprehend, and will appeal to folks who want to find info quickly. This newsreader stood out in our tests for its ease of use: we liked how the wizard helps novices configure the app to suit their needs, and that the clean design was focused on its ease of functionality. Setting up new projects and filters for article searches was a simple process made easy by the tabbed panes and colorful icons. The Help feature delivers a detailed explanation of binary groups, Usenet, and the Ozum Newsreaders functionality. First-time newsreader and experienced users will be very pleased with this app's responsiveness and simplicity. Access to video, audio, static images, and text was supported nicely by the app.
The 30-day trial will be adequate for most users. The price may scare off some folks, but others will find Ozum's ease of use well worth the price. Experienced users may prefer more bells and whistles, but this is a fine newsreader for novices to launch their explorations of Usenet.
Publisher's Description
From Oz Insight:
All-in-One binary newsreader and file downloader optimized for images, sound, and video. Ozum lets you preview and listen to individual parts of multipart audio or video files before downloading and assembling the whole file. Includes a built-in viewer for images, programmable automatic news scanning robot and free autoposter with auto generating image indexes. Automatically downloads, assembles and decodes binary files, including rar and par files, supports yEnc.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 40 votes
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Current version:
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"CRIPPLEWARE - BEWARE!!!"
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 4.16
Pros
None that I found because I could not get it to run without paying for it first.
Cons
This is a classic example of CRIPPLEWARE! It will let you set it up, but when you try to USE it, it DEMANDS that you pay for it FIRST! The publisher CLAIMS that this is shareware, but shareware does NOT demant payment to try it!
Summary
This publisher is rude, nasty and sent me an answer to my email requesting that he fix several bugs in one of his programs that is actually free that can only be considered abusive. I have never dealt with anyone as rude as this person and I have dealt with a lot of people in my life.
He is producing mostly crippleware and calling it shareware, but he nastily demands that you tell him how to protect his programs from pirating if you object to downloading a program that can only be evaluated by paying for it! There are several standard methods of protecting programs from pirating by anyone except an expert hacker and even from most of those, so why does he need to ask about something that already exists? He does NOT offer a money-back guarantee (or did not at the time I downloaded some of his programs) and I would not trust him to return my money after the nasty email that he sent me.
This may seem like I am attacking this publisher; but I am sincerely warning others to beware of his unfair and unreasonable business tactics. I will happily furnish the editors with a copy of both emails--mine and his--if they ask. -
"Not worth exploring further."
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 5.05
Pros
Nice search option
Cons
Not free if you want to download your searched item.
Summary
No free trial to see if it's worth paying for...so I'll stay with Newsbin Pro...it's been reliable for years.
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"Free, or free to try???"
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 5.05
Pros
I was about to download this because CNet flagged it as free
Cons
I didn't, because the CNet review mentions a 30 day trial period.
Summary
I wish the "Free" category was more reliably marked. I don't want to install something now only to find out it's time crippled.
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"Have we changed the definition of the word free?"
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 5.04
Pros
Well, my computer didn't explode into a fireball when I opened this program; I guess that's a pro, but that's about it.
Cons
extremely liberal use of the word "free". It is free to download, but not to ues. This is an instant steak through the heart of this this program.
Summary
What's sad is that I have heard good things about this program. Perhaps if the marketing for it was honest, e.g. just told me how much it cost, I might have shelled out the cash. Instead I invison a group of very compitant programers who's work will go unused, and a marketing team made up of lawyers standing around, arms firmly folded over there chests saying "well..... tecnicaly it's true".
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"NOT Freeware-only portion of software free LIMITED DEMO"
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 5.04
Pros
In truth, I didn't actually download this. Promising freeware then yelling "PSYCH! You actually have to pay!" is a surefire way of guaranteeing that I won't give your product the time of day.
Cons
The company uses bait n switch tactics, and don't deliver freeware product. Too bad. Reviews indicate that this is an excellent piece of software.Time to catch your marketing practices up to the standard of excellence shown by your development team!
Summary
The "Pros and Cons" say it all. Don't download this unless you like companies that lie to you about its cost. It begs the question - if they'll lie about that, what else will they lie about?
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"Not free - bait and switch"
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 5.04
Pros
Seems fairly easy for people new to usenet.
Cons
You can't actually search across newsgroups - it just lets you think you can. Then, when you try to download, they refer you to the page that charges you. Not a great interface - was only useful for that feature anyway.
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"Excellent product"
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 5.0
Pros
Mutilple Serch by:
by group
by key word
by author
by ect.Cons
Having to reset search criteria, each item.
Summary
Most excellent search engine... Best since TINFY that was my favorite.
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"Great newsreader. Fast, clean and lots of features."
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 5.0
Pros
I've tried several other newsreaders but none have been able to outperform Ozum. It is virtually trouble-free and very fast in downloading files.
Cons
This is nothing that I dislike about this newsreader. Slick and well engineered it beats all others hands-down.
Summary
I have used Ozum since 2006 and have yet to find any other newsreader that is as user-friendly and error free as this one. Customer service is outstanding whenever they are needed. Ozum 5.0 is by far a superior product and I highly recommend it.
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"Ozum 5.0 is the best product you can buy, bare none."
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 5.0
Pros
The ease of using it as well as the sneak peek into rar's and other formats. Everything is built into Ozum, so you don't need to buy other products in order to enjoy newsreading.
Cons
I couldn't find anything to dislike.
Summary
I would suggest this to anyone who is looking for a newsreader that is fast, economical, and most of all works. The ease of install and the ease of use has put this reader at the top of the list.
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"Excellent newsreader for multimedia files and pictures."
Version: Ozum All-in-One Newsreader 5.0
Pros
I like the built-in viewer for images. Furthermore I use the thumbnail gallery of downloaded images. I also like the the convenient way Ozum handles multimedia files and prepares them for viewing.
Cons
No cons at the moment.
Summary
The built in image viewer allows to proceed to the image of the next message without stepping back to the message pane. This makes the viewer comfortable.
I also like the possibility to download images with Ozum and get a rough overview of them with the built-in thumbnail gallery. For example my three year old son likes pictures of motorcycles. Unfortunately the newsgroup I have chosen contains every now and then pictures not suitable for minors, posted by some fool deliberately in the wrong newsgroup. So I can review the pictures first, delete the improper pictures and have no embarassing surprises while watching the motorcycles with my son.
Concerning video files I appreciate Ozum's capability to find the parts of a file, assemble and decode them and to prepare the file for viewing. To sneak a peek into multimedia files is also a time and bandwidth saving feature.
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