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Easynews for Newsgroups – A Review

I have been an avid fan of recommending Newshosting as an ideal option for newsgroup access. If you are going to spend money every month to access newsgroups (which is really the only way you are going to comfortably do it), you might as well go with the best when it comes to not spending too much, while also getting the most for your money. However, the normal method of accessing newsgroups isn’t for everyone. Some require a learning curve since they have never used newsgroups before. For them, there is another option.

Lately, we have been playing with Easynews, which is a very similar service when it comes to features and cost, only it comes with additional tools to make your experience a breeze. One of these features is their own search engine that can be accessed from any browser, including mobile devices. In fact, there are even apps for your mobile device that work with Easynews. What’s nice is that you can download items from newsgroups, directly from the search engine interface. No need to have an external application to manage your downloads with. Just one search engine to do it all.

There are many things that can be customized about the search engine as well, to make sure it displays to your liking. You can even switch to a dark mode (as you can see in the header image above), which a lot of major sites (like Bing) are still promising to eventually be a feature. You can customize how results are displays and more. They definitely seem to have put a lot of effort into the design of it.

Not only can you download directly from the search engine page, but you can also choose to download and send it to your zip manager, or download it as an NZB file that you can send over to your favorite download manager (ie, Newsbin), which we’ll talk about in a moment.

The only thing I found that was odd was when you come across a post that no longer exists. Typically meaning that it has been taken down due to copyright, or it is an incredibly old post (I say incredibly because like Newshosting, Easynews has an incredible retention that is ever-growing). When you come across a post that no longer exists, nothing really happens when you click to download it. Normally, when using a download manager, you have access to a log screen that would give you an error like “no such posts exists on the server”. However, in the Easynews browser, it just gets lost in “connecting” and the page never updates. It makes you think the download button is broke. I ran into this a few times and then decided to do it from my favorite download manager, where it then told me the post was no longer available. So they do need to work on a status/log feature or at least some kind of notification that pops up and says “sorry, this post no longer exists” (maybe even strike it from the results for the future).

However, we’ve been playing with it for a little while now, testing various searches and posts (files). In most situations, everything acts exactly the way you’d hope, which is great. I would still learn how to use a download manager (if I was you) for any large amount of posts you are looking to download at once, as browsers don’t always like to be flooded with downloads. However, for a post here and there, the search engine is great to download from.

It can also act like a normal newsgroup service, where you can add the server information to your download manager (ie, Newsbin) and use it like you would Newshosting or any other newsgroup service. Of course, now you are taking things into the direction of needing to read the newsgroup tutorial if you have never done that before.

You can use the Easynews search engine to find NZB files to send over to the download manager, or you can do everything in one place if the download manager has its own search function–although this usually means another subscription fee, depending on the app you are using (Newsbin charges $30/year for their search function).

Easynews truly is an all-inclusive newsgroup service that is really “easy” to use and affordable, making it incredibly “easy” to recommend. You can visit their website here and subscribe at a discounted rate that lasts for the life of the account.

CBD solutions from CBD Essence – Chewy Taffies and Oil, oh my!

CBD has been a growing trend as more users flock towards usage that aren’t ready for or prefer not to try THC, let it be due to not wanting “the high” or simply in fear of how it might impact their professional life. CBD grants them access to the medicinal benefits of marijuana without the high and won’t show up on any test. It is generally legal most anywhere these days if hemp-derived and can be found in both brick and mortar shops as well as online.

How well it works changes with

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Is Best Buy’s Insignia branded Google smart speaker spying on you?

I really wanted to like it because it is what could have been the perfect combination of an alarm clock and a smart speaker. However, it might hide a dark secret!

There was a moment where the speaker would glitch out and the time would start blinking dashes across the screen. I didn’t think much of it at the time and their tech support for Insignia explained how to reboot it a special way to pretty much clear its head and get it working again.

Then a day came where I heard it

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A review of The Hike, by Drew Magary

I have been on a solid kick this last year, looking for my favorite reads. So far, Ready Player One takes the prize for one of the best books I have ever read. Also in my list, you’ll find books like the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (of course) and other fun sci-fi/fantasy books. I have a very strong

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Kwikset upgraded their z-wave smart locks I spoke about

kwiksetzwaveIt appears that Kwikset has came out with a new version of the locks I spoke about when I detailed on how to “Build Your Own Affordable Home Automation System Using Z-Wave“. The new locks offer a touchscreen with a host of security features. I am sure they also probably come with a quieter locking mechanism as well as better battery life, but that’s my own assumption.

The older version of the lock lasts a pretty long time on a single set of batteries. I don’t have anything to complain about there. The mechanism is a little loud, but that’s also good when it comes to creating a scene to lock itself. When you hear it lock, you know someone forgot to lock the door behind them…allowing you to effectively throw something at them as punishment.

My Z-wave network is still strong and current with all sorts of fun stuff attached to it. I wouldn’t mind upgrading the controller, but last year pooped me out a little as well as a fun X-Mas and starting January with

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(Review) Cookie Dough flavored Oreo Cookies

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Ok, so Nabisco has been on a crazy kick this year releasing custom flavored Oreo cookies and here they go again. This time with a cookie dough creme on the inside.

This review will be short and to the point. In fact, here is the conclusion: YUM! You need to snag some of these! Done!

Now I have to figure out how I left the house to get some fruit for healthy eatin…and instead left with this…..

Buying a DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ Drone

DJI-Phantom-2-Vision-Plus

I am purchasing a Phantom 2 Vision+ Drone and will be hanging with the guys at Poc Network Tech Blog who will be doing a full review on it which I will share below once it happens.

This bad boy is ready to fly right out of the box and I look forward to sharing what it can do. Int he meantime, I’ll explain exactly what I am getting now so you get a head start at 1) knowing exactly what’s involved and 2) tagging along if you have the itch to get one yourself! The Phantom comes ready to fly and record (as long as you get a MicroSD card), with and extra battery (if you get the below one) and live video feed (iPhone or Android devices). Wait for the review or grab one now, the following four items is what I will be getting:

 

That’s it! I’ll share the review when it happens. I think they are waiting on additional intel from DJI before they make their move.

UPDATE:

The review has been published by them and can be found here! Looks like it got an 8/10. They also covered my costs due to some “crashing” that took place during their tests lol.

Some Interesting Halo Themed Clothes and Collectibles!

halochief Halo is one of the most breath taking games to have ever hit the Xbox gaming consoles. It is one of the top selling series of all times and is generally something you will find most of your “friends” playing when a new one hits the market.

Now I get to sound like a paid programming ad as I whore out something worth sharing. If you are a fan, you may have thought to yourself…you know…it would be nice to show my Halo pride by wearing a unique Halo T-Shirt that no one else caries, or to drink coffee out of a limited edition mug at work. Why not do it!

The following website has a number of Halo themed T-Shirts, mugs, pillows and more. They even have Valentine-themed products, for your special someone. Here are a few examples:

      
They even have clothing, glassware and collectibles from other themes such as Pokemon, Adventure Time, Pac-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Jack

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Top Ten Anime Series of 2013

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The end of 2013 has come and like everywhere else, I think it is time to look back on the year to see what the top something of something is and today felt like a top ten anime series kind of day! I couldn’t just base this on my own opinion since…well…I’ve been a little behind in watching so there are a LOT of new series I need to set my eyes on. So I took my own opinions and then went around and collected data from many different polls and discussions around the web to bring you a valid top ten list based on not just my own opinion but the opinions of the many!

10 – Arpeggio of Blue Steel
(Aoki Hagane no Arupejio)

Arpeggio of Blue Steel

Kind of like an animated take of Battlestar

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Vizio 80-inch 3D Smart LED TV Equals Awesome

This year Vizio launched an affordable 80 inch TV which it would be disrespectful to refer to as anything less than amazing. EIGHTY INCHES of screen packed with all of the features everyone is looking for. 3D support, 240Hz, smart apps and internet….EIGHTY INCHES!!

Now, this would mean nothing if the image quality was meh, but it’s not. The quality is superb and I hope to own one myself as soon as possible. Brightness is very customizable, image is sharp and clear (ESPECIALLY if you are watching a blu-ray), motion is smooth with zero drag and Avengers is worth watching over and over on it because it feels like it’s filmed live on the news or you are right there.

Best of all is that you can buy the TV for less than $4k. With how big it is and all the features it supports, you would think that it wouldn’t come anywhere near that price but they did…oh they did.

Move on over projectors as Vizio has just taken away your business! …unless of course you want an even bigger screen………then you may want a projector

I just thought this was worth bragging about as the TV is super big and super cool and I am sure they are selling off the shelves, especially now that Christmas is here.

It’s fracking HUGE!

You can find additional info, specs and what not here!

If you are nice, you could buy me one 🙂

Hoorah!