We took a look at Momentum, a relatively unknown Usenet news reader. Version 1.1.3 of the free software is available for the Linux, Mac OS X and Windows distributions. There is also a Plus version with more extensive content, which is also available as a free download. Update: Unfortunately, in April 2020 it turned out that Momentum Plus redistributes a large part of the data entered, so we had to reject this customer.
The site is now being shaken to its foundations. Yesterday, three more file and streaming host servers were rendered unusable. Rather unknowingly, we are told. Several warez portals gave up when the Aachen-based management company Share-Online.biz was attacked. In the meantime, downloaders are looking for affordable alternatives: Besides free hosts like DDL.to, many users seem to be turning to Usenet these days.
It was discovered that this software spreads a lot of entered data, so unfortunately we no longer recommend it.
Click on the link to get more information: Momentum Plus review
In this context, the relatively new message reader is useful if you don't want to give your details to Usenet forums. Of course, clicking on the Thank You button does not constitute copyright infringement. But it does at least indicate that it may have happened.
We tried Momentum for Windows 10. As soon as the program loads (really slowly), you'll be offered to upgrade to the Plus version. Both are free. It also helps to boost your download statistics. In fact, many people, like us, have installed both programs. For those who value appearance, Momentum looks much more modern than competing products such as Alt.Binz and SABnzbd. We tested this tool with the multi-host Premiumize.me. Logging in is a little more complicated. Your username is not the email address you entered when you registered. Your username is your customer number and your password is your Premiumize.me API key. But after that, everything works perfectly.
Momentum: easy to use, lots of features
What's more, Momentum allows you to search and download files with just one click of the mouse, which is very convenient. The program automatically creates a separate directory on your desktop for each download. At the bottom right you can change the search index used - NewzBee, NZBIndex.nl and Spotnet portals are optionally available as NZB portals. You can see at a glance the comments and ratings that have been posted and then start forwarding them. Once you have logged in, you will find all the functions easy to understand, even for beginners. When you click on a menu item, the program opens another tab, which you will have to get used to.
Some Usenet providers come pre-configured for login. However, as with jDownloader, you can choose any provider you like. The makers of this software are probably funded by indirect advertising to the built-in, and sometimes pricey, Usenet providers. But it doesn't matter who you call. There have been reports on the internet this spring that calls to Usenext have been unsuccessful, but we don't have an account with them so can't confirm this.
Usenet Forum is not a perfect replacement
The only downside to Momentum and Momentum Plus is that many Usenet forums require a password to download. Of course, if you want this, you have to visit the appropriate forum. To do this, you will need to know who originally published the archive.
Of course, downloads containing cryptic characters, such as Usenet4ever, will not be found by the NZB search engine. This is often done to make the job of anti-piracy companies more difficult. Instead of searching for NZB files on public search engines, you have to go to the trouble of logging into the individual work's forum and thanking them for each individual download. Conclusion: With software alone, we will lose much of the work offered on Usenet. But that's the way nature works. There is nothing the authors of Momentum can do about it. Of course, we cannot change the fact that the German-language Usenet forum is invitation-only. The only exception so far is the Revenge of Usenet forum.
Other than that, I have no complaints. If you've been happy with Alt.Binz, NZBGet, SABnzbd and their partners so far, there's no need to change, even if the program is already out of date. Also, projects such as Unison Newsreader (MacOS X only) were discontinued several years ago. There are clear recommendations for those who are new to the program and want to search directly in the program rather than the NZB portal. To protect your privacy, we recommend that you turn off monitoring for bug fixes. However, this can be set by anyone at will. In any case, we did not experience any crashes during our test runs.
In conclusion, Momentum Plus can be downloaded free of charge from here. If this is the case, you can use the normal version to avoid distractions.