TackleAction!

Usenet is a fast, easy and reliable way to download all kinds of content without some of the pitfalls of torrents (like worrying about seeders). Usenet servers hold onto data for up to 200 days (this number's always getting bigger) so you can get something quickly even if it's no longer popular.

There are a couple tutorials on the web, like this one or this (with video!) that go into great detail about what usenet is, but i'm gonna try to keep it simple and to the point of finding and downloading files.

Step 1: Finding Files With Binsearch
Goto binsearch.info and search for whatever you want. Be sure to use the dropdowns to search for older files as needed. And "the other groups" do sometimes have content that you can't find elsewhere.

Step 2: Download an .nzb file
nzb files will tell your software where to download the content. After selecting the files you wanna get, hit the "Create .NZB" button and a .nzb file will be downloaded to your computer.

Step 3: Get a Giganews Account
Now you need access to Usenet. Many places maintain usenet servers, though the good ones have a monthly access fee - I recommend Giganews. You can get a trial account or an account with unlimited downloading and encryption - or something in between (I have a silver account - $13 / 25gb a month, without Encryption).

Step 4: Get Usenet Software
On a Mac, Unison($25) is a great option and NZB Drop($22) looks cool.

I'm a little less sure about what's good for PC's - but Grabit(free) and NewsLeecher($20/yr) are popular options.

Setting up the software should be as easy as entering the server address and your username/password that you'll get from Giganews.

Step 5: Download!
Open the .nzb file with whatever software you're using and it should start downloading.

Stop 6: Decompress & Reconstruct(if necessary)
Most Usenet content is compressed in .rar format. You probably already have software to deal with this format (if not, Google can help).

Sometimes your downloads come with .par2 files that can help reconstruct missing or corrupt files. For these files, you can use MacPar Deluxe for the mac, or QuickPar for the PC.

I usually try to download the .par2 files if they're available, just in case. They're either already part of the download, or right next to the content you want in your binsearch results.

Step 7: Enjoy!
That's it, you should have your files in a usable format at this point.