America Online Local Newsgroups - Frequently Asked Questions

Part III. Uploading/Downloading Binaries/FileGrabber
[Alt: I Gotta Be in Pictures!]

=============================================================

First Version : 01 Jun 1997
Last Revision : 08 Jun 2001
Version Number: 3.12
Current Editor: Midas (aurictouch@aol.com)
Current Poster: Bob Hare Jr. (RFHareJr@aol.com)
Last Poster : Bob Gordon (RGordon202@aol.com)
Last Editor : Mark Allott (MarkAllott@aol.com)

=============================================================

Contents
------------

=============================================================

1: Ques: How / where do I get the pictures?

Aurictouch answers:

There are two types of newsgroups: Text and Binary. Anything that is not
straight text (pictures, sounds, etc) is classed as a binary, and found in
newsgroups labelled "binary". For example:
alt.binaries.clip-art (Yes, that is a real newsgroup. And it is amazingly free
of X-rated spam).
One good way to make yourself well known and very unpopular is to request (or,
if you *really* want to make enemies, do it yourself) the uploading of binaries
to a text newsgroup.

=============================================================

2: Ques: What is FileGrabber / Where do I get it?

RGordon202 answers:

FileGrabber is a utility that runs on the AOL newsgroup servers.
When a binary post has been decoded FileGrabber will retrieve it so that you
can download it as a "file", instead of a "message".
FileGrabber works best if you turn on the binary filters or list the oldest
posts first.

=============================================================

3: Ques: What is MIME encoding, and how do I decode it?

Aurictouch answers:

Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) is a method by which binary files
are encoded into text files so they can be sent via Usenet. These files can be
decoded by several different utilities.
Use the find function at the top of your AOL screen and type in MIME to be
given a choice of several decoders, since FileGrabber sometimes takes a day or
so to decode files.

R F HareJr adds:

MIME files, those that come in E-Mail as file_name.mim or appear as Base 64
ASCII txt in USENET NGs, should be downloaded in E-Mail (or saved from USENET)
as *.b64 (instead of *.mim). Winzip (6.3+)
can be launched which will automatically extract/(decode) the single or
multi-part files from the MIME document (*.b64). Current version is Winzip 8.0

[Editor's note: There are many other programs that will decode .b64 files.
WinZip, Wincode, and Stuffit from Alladin Software are just a few of them.]

For MAC users, Nosycat adds:

To decode a MIME file (one with a .mim or .mme extension), simply drag and drop
it onto your decoder icon, then follow the instructions for your decoder. Be
sure to SAVE the decoded files WITH the appropriate extension (.jpg, .gif,
etc.) added to the file name, and remember where you saved it.
With QuickTime 3 (QT3), you can then usually simply double-click on the decoded
file to open it or, in many cases, open the file through AOL's "Open" command,
found under AOL's File menu. If the decoded file is an animated GIF, open it
through your browser to make it "move."

=============================================================

4: Ques: How do I upload pictures to newsgroups?

[Editors note: An encoder is a program that takes a binary file (such as a
picture, video, or sound) and converts it into a text file. This is necessary
because only text can be posted to newsgroups. Your AOL software does not
include an encoder that can be used for newsgroups. If you want to post
binaries you must install an encoder on your computer.]

R F HareJr answers :

Below are instructions for
WINCODE: V2.7.3c Encoder/Coder.
These should work for any encoder which allows a single input file to be split
into multiple output files of 28,000 bits (28KB) or less. Another encoder is
VuePrintPro_32. Files encoded with
VuePrint
should be split every 500 lines (approximately 28,000 bytes). The latest
version
of VuePrint is at: http://www.hamrick.com/

[Note: Wincode is an excellent, easy to use encoder/decoder. And it is free.
But, since it is a 16-bit Windows program, it will not handle long file names.
Wincode, like all 16-bit Windows and DOS programs, can use only eight
characters for the file name and three characters for the file extension.
This is the DOS 8.3 format. For example:
If you have a file called "MY PICTURE.JPEG" Wincode will change the name to
"MYPICT~1.JPE". When the file is decoded it will have the name that Wincode
gave it, not your original file name. If your file names conform to the
DOS 8.3 format Wincode will not change them.]

One option is WinCode 2.7.3c
The file wanted is: 16-bit (also works in Win95/98/NT/2000 editions):

Posting with WinCode 2.7.3c is a THREE step process.
1.) You must configure the encoder for use with AOL.
2.) You need to properly ENCODE your files to UUE format.
3.) You need to post the files properly.

Follow this series of *Mouse-Clicks* to get correctly set up
the first time & your "configuration" will always be OK:

Step ONE [Configuring WinCode 2.7.3c for AOL posting]:

Launch WinCode 2.7.3c->
Options->
Configuration->
Encode Tab (at bottom)->
"X" (check) first 3 options from top left->
Clear (UN-check) the remaining 9 boxes at top->
"Bytes per File" = 27500
Extension for encoded files = "Default"
CODE TYPE = "UUE"
File Type = "MS-DOS"
"Encode File Directory" is purely a personal preference.
It's where the encoded parts are for posting to News Groups.
SAVE (Hit "OK)->
Close Wincode 2.7.3c

If followed to the letter above, you now are correctly configured
for encoding files for posting to News Groups via AOL & you will
not have to ever make further adjustments to same.

Step TWO [Encoding the file.]

Start WinCode 2.7.3c and use its File menu to find and encode the file.
If you put a shortcut to WinCode 2.7.3c on the Desktop you can drag a
file from Windows Explorer and drop it into the shortcut icon.
If you put a shortcut to WinCode 2.7.3c in the Send To folder you can
"right-click" on a file and select "Send to-> "WinCode 2.7.3c" in the context
menu. Any of these methods will produce the required UUE file(s).

Step THREE [Posting Single or MULTI-part BINARY files]:

Open the newsgroup where you want to post the files. You can do this with the
online newsreader or the offline reader (PFC). If you want to use the PFC you
will have to use an AutoAOL to download at least one post from the newsgroup to
your PFC.

If posting a SINGLE part binary file, do so as follows for Subject line:
[Description]: - [File_Name.JPG(or GIF) (or ZIP, etc.)] (01/01)
*NOTE*: Do not actually put the [brackets] on the subject line.

You can do an IDENTICALLY labeled (00/01) line & in the body of this posting
describe the file in fuller detail, mention a URL (web address) where the
remainder [if part of a series] can be found, etc... This is an acceptable TEXT
post to a BINARY newsgroup & is considered good "netiquette" to do so,
especially in the case of several files in a series, here you can label a
(00/00) line describing same.

After filling in the Subject line as outlined above:
[Description]: - [File_Name.JPG] (01/01)
Use a plain text editor such as Windows Notepad to open the UUE file(s).
*NOTE*:Do *NOT* use a word processor or the AOL program because they might
insert formating and HTML code that will corrupt the UUE file.
Hit FILE-> OPEN [direct the file folders to the directory in which the UUE
file is stored], highlight the [file_name.UUE] file that is listed & hit
"OK"-> Edit-> "Select All"-> Edit-> "Copy"-> CLOSE the *.UUE file.
Put your blinking cursor in the BODY of the posting window for the newsgroup
you
are posting to & hit either Edit-> "Paste" or [Ctrl+V] keys simultaneously.
The encoded file is now displayed.
Hit SEND. Congratulations! You just posted your first file!

Only "cosmetic" differences apply to MULTI-part posts, but are extremely
IMPORTANT if you want other AOLers to be able to get your files using the File
Grabber feature.
The subject line *MUST* be exactly identical in EVERY way (case sensitive & all
spacing must line up exactly the same on each MULTI-part posting).
The ONLY variance allowed is in the actual PART #'s of the file. For example:
Suppose you wanted to post a file that had encoded out to 3 parts total, then
each multi-part Subject line must read as follows:

[Description]: - [File_Name.JPG] (01/03)
[Description]: - [File_Name.JPG] (02/03)
[Description]: - [File_Name.JPG] (03/03)

On each partial post, make certain you are opening & copy/pasting the correctly
# section of the file. Other than that, there is nothing else you need know
about single or MULTI-part binary posting via AOL News Reader. Feel free to
copy this INFO as a TXT file for later referral or pass onto friends who ask
how you posted from AOL.

For MAC users, Nosycat adds:

The easiest way to upload pictures is to use UULite -- look for version 3.0 or
higher. Follow the instructions CAREFULLY, and make sure that your file name
indicates the TYPE of file you're uploading and, if there are multiple parts to
the file, the part names are identical, except for the number of the file (for
example: Peacock GIF Part 1/3, Peacock GIF Part 2/3, Peacock GIF Part 3/3).
Caveat: When setting up UULite's Encoding Preferences to use with AOL, do NOT
select America Online Compliant, since it still has problems.
Instead, set the Maximum Number of Lines to 380 and select Output as Mac Text.

For detailed posting instructions, download the America Online Binaries FAQ, by
Leslie Jones. Exact download instructions are found in Part 4.07 of that FAQ.
You can find that FAQ in AOL's software files (search for binaries).
Most of the contents of that FAQ were written in 1995/1996, so some of it is
now obsolete, but it's a good overview document and worth taking a look at.

=============================================================

5: Ques: I'm trying to download hotnhevy.jpg and I keep getting
42335234.txt. I don't want text, I want graphics!
What's happening?

MzLindyOne answers :
Three possible reasons:

1) Due to the number of posts lately, FileGrabber has about a day of backlog.
Mark it unread, and wait a day or two; or save it to disk as hotnheavy.uue or
hotnheavy.b64 (depending on the encoded format), and open with, for example,
Winzip 6.3+ (latest version 8.0) at:
http://www.winzip.com/

2) It is a multipart post, and FileGrabber cannot find all the parts.
Here is the workaround for this:
1. Mark the article unread.
2. DO NOT mark the group "All Read".
3. Set Preferences for 30 days, use "List All", and try again.
4. Wait a day or two for the rest of it to be posted, and try again.

Hints: Be sure to use the "More" button as many times as it is available
before attempting the download. Alternatively, collect the text parts,
paste them together in a single unit (in the correct order), and decode
manually. If you have waited 5 days and still don't have all the parts,
you probably never will unless the original poster reposts.

3) It is a corrupt post; see the next question.

=============================================================

6: Ques: So I downloaded a file and my decoder says "what graphic?"
Now what do I do?

R F HareJr answers :

Some graphics are going to come through "corrupt" regardless of what
you do to try to view them. Can be caused by any number of reasons:

*Aborted upload
*Line "noise" on the sender's end
*AOG (Act of God)
*MAC "headers" on some graphics file on first line of coding.

[Editors note: MAC headers should be a problem only if you use Windows.]

R F HareJr continues:
This last one is usually the most common cause for the "Image-3 error"
(Not a valid Image file). Usually renaming to a WRI or TXT file & opening
in an ASCII text editor & removing the line that says something like:
"Created in Adobe Photoshop (whatever version)" will correct this. Some
other graphics viewers can handle (recognize) these headers for what they
are & display the image regardless.
I usually have good success opening the image in ThumbsPlus 3.30
(latest 3.* version) or Thumbsplus 4.5 (latest 4.* version) available at:
http://www.cerious.com/
Cerious Software is contactable here on AOL at: CeriousSW (or Cerious2).
Contact name is Laura Shook (last I checked). I open the file & then
"outline" itself in the editor then hit "Edit Crop" & then re-save as
itself & those "headers" are removed & the image will then view within
AOL (or any other viewer) fine.

============================================================

7: Ques: How do I open "movies"?

Nosycat answers:

For the MAC:
QuickTime 5's MoviePlayer allows you to open and view a variety of multimedia
files, including AVI files. If it does NOT work for the particular file you
have, try some of the following (you can find most of these in AOL's software
files):

Sparkle (for MPEG files and sets of PICT files) GLViewer (for GL files)
VFW (which stands for Video For Windows, a Mac utility that converts
AVI files into QuickTime files that you can then view through MoviePlayer).

[Editors note: QT5 is also available for Windows at Keyword: Apple.
Other movie viewers can be found at Keyword: Viewers.]

==========================================================

8: Ques: What is the Binary Filter?

RGordon202 answers:

The binary filter is a new preference setting that is available only in true
binary newsgroups (those that have "binary" in the name).
The filter must be set for each newsgroup individually by clicking on
"Preferences" and putting a check mark in the box at the top of the window.
This turns the filter ON. Removing the check mark turns the filter OFF.
With the filter ON, your list of posts will show only those that have been
decoded and can be downloaded as files. You will not see binaries that have
not been decoded. You also will not see any text files.
If you want to find a post that might describe a file, or group of files, you
will have to turn the filter OFF, exit newsgroups completely, and then go back
into your newsgroup.
When the filter is OFF you will see all of the posts in the group.

============================================================

9: Ques: How do I find the programs mentioned in the FAQ?

RGordon202 answers:

Some of the programs have URLs listed, such as:
http://www.hamrick.com/ (VuePrint Pro 32)
http://www.cerious.com/ (Thumbs Plus 3.30 &/or 4.5+ versions)
http://www.winzip.com/ (WinZip 8.0 [latest version]).
That is the address of a site on the World Wide Web. To visit the site you can
copy the URL and paste it into a Keyword window. This will start your AOL web
browser and take you to the site. You can also paste the URL into another web
browser.
If you do not have a URL, or do not want to use a web browser, you can search
for the program in the AOL software libraries.
Keyword: File Search will allow you to search the AOL software libraries. You
can also get there by using the "Find" or "Search" button if you have one.
You can search for a file type, such as MIME, or a program name, such as
Wincode.

If searching for a program you should not include the version number, look for
"Wincode", not "Wincode 2.7" (or enter the exact file name if known).
The "Find" or "Search" button (at the top of the AOL window) has links that
allow you to search AOL's libraries and the web.
If you have an icon that looks like a floppy disk and magnifying glass,
clicking it will take you directly to the file search window.

============================================================

Addendum (courtesy of Nosycat):

MAC USERS, PLEASE NOTE: MAC-related answers in Part III assume that you have
QuickTime 3 installed. If you don't, download (keyword: Apple) and install it
ASAP -- it will save you many headaches!!
QT3 runs on any 68020, 68030, 68040, and PowerPC (PPC) Mac using OS 7 and
above. PPCs need a minimum of 16 megs of RAM; the others need a minimum of 8
megs of RAM. Of course, the more RAM, the better.
When you download QT3, you will also get a new version of MoviePlayer,
PictureViewer, and the QT Plug-in for use with your browser.

You will need a decoder -- shareware decoders such as UULite and uucdPPC (for a
PowerPC) are available in AOL's software files (click on the
floppy-with-a-magnifying-glass icon in your Toolbar or got to Keyword: File
search, and search for the word decoder); another good decoder can be found at:
http://www.concentric.net/~Columbin/

You will also need some picture viewing software, such as JPEGViewer (which
also handles GIF and some other formats), GIFConverter (which also handles
JPEG, PICT, and TIFF formats), and GraphicConverter (which handles GIF, PICT,
BMP, JPEG, and some other formats).
Most of these are available in AOL's software files. (BTW, if you use ANY
shareware, PLEASE send the developers a check -- it helps feed them and
inspires them to keep up the good work!)

=============================================================
End of Part III