CNET Editors' review
The SBNews News Robot offers reliable downloading from binary newgroups. It isn't pretty, but it works.
The program sets up easily, with a dialog box opening at the initial launch for configuring your systems news host and any passwords. This application forsakes the popular and familiar e-mail client-style interface. In a world of look how sleek and cool I am application interfaces, SBNEws News Robots interface shows no evidence of design aesthetics being exercised. It's plain and purely functional. But the lack of distracting or confusing icons and bells and whistles means the applications functions are easy to comprehend, which is more important in the long run.
There was also a garish Register/Buy Me prompt that, if it's any evidence of the publishers design skills, will make you glad they didn't try to pretty this application. While we don't normally mind dealing with a nag screen, we didn't like having to wait 15 seconds every time we wanted to launch the demo version.
In our tests SBNews News Robot performed slowly but reliably. We understand that downloading groups and headers can be a slow process, but we've used other, similar applications that performed much more quickly, even for audio and video files; News Robot was slow even for text-only messages. The filters worked fine on the fly, even though the application prompted us to disconnect from downloading before applying a filter. We liked the Reject Author button, which let us remove from downloads any posts by egregious spammers (or simply annoying posters).
The nag screen and design aside, SBNews News Robot worked OK. Although it was a bit slow, its easy enough for users of any skill level. Still, the price seems a bit steep for this package. You can probably find something with more features and no cost elsewhere.
Publisher's Description
From SB Software:
Download and decode files from binary newsgroups. The program works with all types of files, including JPEG/GIF/BMP images, MP3/WAV audio files, AVI/MPEG movies, RAR archive files. Thumbnail viewer displays images in real-time as they are downloaded from newsgroups, and a built-in full-screen image viewer lets you browse pictures after they have been downloaded. Sophisticated lockout and spam rejection filters ensure that unwanted files are not downloaded, saving time and eliminating frustration. Reliable and proven duplicate rejection system rejects duplicates based on filename or message subject. Automatic file encryption protects sensitive downloads. It is fully automated and capable of running reliably overnight to download files unattended. An optional interactive mode allows you to preselect what will be downloaded. Supports both standard NNTP and encrypted/secure Usenet. Version 10.4 supports encrypted Usenet services.
What's new in this version: Version 10.4 supports encrypted usenet services.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 12 votes
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Current version:
1.0 starsout of 1 votes
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My rating:
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"This version is piece of crap and there is NOT support whats so ever."
Version: SBNews News Robot 10.4
Pros
Was great several years ago but crap now. WHEN it works, does good job for unattended downloads. Easy to use for basis downloads.
Cons
The creator will NOT respond to support emails if you have a problem, you are on your own. This version has a bad flaw, on 200mb jpg, will do a partial download and cut off the bottom of the jpg on about 30-40% of jpg.
Used to work great but not anymore and owner will not respond to many emails for help.
Don't be fooled by his posting his email as he will not answer any problems. He just collects the money.
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