So, I am in the process of using an offline reader, and I went ahead and started with MultiMail because it is open source. For the time being, I may just have to tolerate using a sharware terminal to download the QWK packets.

Right now, I have a couple of QWK packets to test with, but I cannot open them for some odd reason. It can unzip the files from the QWK packets, but it errors out saying that it can't open the packet.

What basic step(s) am I missing?

-jag
Code it, Script it, Automate it!

---
þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -

Re: Basic MultiMail Help
By: Jagossel to All on Wed Oct 31 2018 02:48 pm

So, I am in the process of using an offline reader, and I went ahead and started with MultiMail because it is open source. For the time being, I may just have to tolerate using a sharware terminal to download the QWK packets.

I'm not sure of an answer to your question regarding opening the packets, but I'm not sure why you'd need to use a shareware terminal program? There is freeware terminal software available, such as SyncTerm, mTelnet, and NetRunner. There are probably other freeware BBS-compatible terminal programs available.

Nightfox

---
þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: Basic MultiMail Help
By: Jagossel to All on Wed Oct 31 2018 02:48 pm

So, I am in the process of using an offline reader, and I went ahead and started with MultiMail because it is open source. For the time being, I may just have to tolerate using a sharware terminal to download the QWK packets.

On Synchronet BBSes, ftp works as well.

Right now, I have a couple of QWK packets to test with, but I cannot open them for some odd reason. It can unzip the files from the QWK packets, but it errors out saying that it can't open the packet.

What basic step(s) am I missing?

How do you know it can unzip the files from the QWK packet? Is there a log or some other detail you can provide?

digital man

Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #41:
LF = Line Feed (ASCII 10, Ctrl-J)
Norco, CA WX: 68.1øF, 41.0% humidity, 2 mph SE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

---
þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: Basic MultiMail Help
By: Nightfox to Jagossel on Wed Oct 31 2018 14:51:53

So, I am in the process of using an offline reader, and I went ahead an started with MultiMail because it is open source. For the time being, I may just have to tolerate using a sharware terminal to download the QWK packets.

I'm not sure of an answer to your question regarding opening the packets, bu I'm not sure why you'd need to use a shareware terminal program? There is freeware terminal software available, such as SyncTerm, mTelnet, and NetRunn There are probably other freeware BBS-compatible terminal programs available

The reason why I need to use a shareware terminal is that I hardly am on the
PC anymore, and I use Magic DOSBox with Kermit on my phone. IIRC, mTelnet won't download files, and I'm not sure if NetRunner or SyncTERM has a DOS port available. I'll have to look and see.

Kermit works well as a terminal, but it doesn't support XModem, YModem, ZModem, and (obviously SEXYZ). So, I would need to switch terminals.

This isn't a high priority for me, just a nice to have.

-jag
Code it, Script it, Automate it!

---
þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -

Re: Basic MultiMail Help
By: Digital Man to Jagossel on Wed Oct 31 2018 19:59:10

So, I am in the process of using an offline reader, and I went ahead and started with MultiMail because it is open source. For the time being, I m just have to tolerate using a sharware terminal to download the QWK packe

On Synchronet BBSes, ftp works as well.

I will have to check with the SysOps and see if they have FTP available. I thought that MTLGeek nor Frugal Computing didn't have FTP available. I'll have double check. I believe Outwest does; not sure with Digital Distortion.

I can check Synchronet's BBS list as well.

Right now, I have a couple of QWK packets to test with, but I cannot open them for some odd reason. It can unzip the files from the QWK packets, bu it errors out saying that it can't open the packet.

What basic step(s) am I missing?

How do you know it can unzip the files from the QWK packet? Is there a log o some other detail you can provide?

MultiMail for DOS drops into a command prompt and runs the extraction utilities. That is how I saw the open source version of unzip run successfully, and PKUnzip failing (for some weird reason). I'm not sure if there are logs available, I can look.

I tried it again after posting my original question, and the error message is something like it cannot decompress the packet, which is weird since I watched it do it.

-jag
Code it, Script it, Automate it!

---
þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -

Re: Basic MultiMail Help
By: Jagossel to Digital Man on Thu Nov 01 2018 07:20 am

Re: Basic MultiMail Help
By: Digital Man to Jagossel on Wed Oct 31 2018 19:59:10

So, I am in the process of using an offline reader, and I went ahead and started with MultiMail because it is open source. For the time being, I m just have to tolerate using a sharware terminal to download the QWK packe

On Synchronet BBSes, ftp works as well.

I will have to check with the SysOps and see if they have FTP available. I thought that MTLGeek nor Frugal Computing didn't have FTP available. I'll have double check. I believe Outwest does; not sure with Digital Distortion.

I can check Synchronet's BBS list as well.

Right now, I have a couple of QWK packets to test with, but I cannot open them for some odd reason. It can unzip the files from the QWK packets, bu it errors out saying that it can't open the packet.

What basic step(s) am I missing?

How do you know it can unzip the files from the QWK packet? Is there a log o some other detail you can provide?

MultiMail for DOS drops into a command prompt and runs the extraction utilities. That is how I saw the open source version of unzip run successfully, and PKUnzip failing (for some weird reason). I'm not sure if there are logs available, I can look.

I tried it again after posting my original question, and the error message is something like it cannot decompress the packet, which is weird since I watched it do it.

Perhaps the problem is the command-line parameters passed to the unzip tool. Are those configurable somewhere? Can you tell what parameters are being passed? Perhaps the files are being extracted into a location that multimail doesn't expect. Also confirm the QWK packet you downloaded from the BBS has all the files multimail expects to find:
CONTROL.DAT
MESSAGES.DAT
*.NDX

All the other possible files in the packet are optional and mostly not used by a QWK reader.


digital man

Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #5:
BBS = Bulletin Board System
Norco, CA WX: 64.5øF, 18.0% humidity, 0 mph WSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

---
þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: Basic MultiMail Help
By: Digital Man to Jagossel on Thu Nov 01 2018 06:54:08

How do you know it can unzip the files from the QWK packet? Is there a log o some other detail you can provide?

MultiMail for DOS drops into a command prompt and runs the extraction utilities. That is how I saw the open source version of unzip run successfully, and PKUnzip failing (for some weird reason). I'm not sure i there are logs available, I can look.

I tried it again after posting my original question, and the error messag is something like it cannot decompress the packet, which is weird since I watched it do it.

Perhaps the problem is the command-line parameters passed to the unzip tool. Are those configurable somewhere? Can you tell what parameters are being passed? Perhaps the files are being extracted into a location that multimail doesn't expect. Also confirm the QWK packet you downloaded from the BBS has the files multimail expects to find:
CONTROL.DAT
MESSAGES.DAT
*.NDX

All the other possible files in the packet are optional and mostly not used a QWK reader.

I was able to resolve my issue. It turns out that I had to use a specific version of PKUNZIP that allows the ability to write to pipes (or "prints"). I didn't know it was possible to have the zip file contensts extracted to memory, but I guess that makes sense in this case.

Now, the fun part is to get the modem protocols set both on the BBSes I call in frequently to match what QModem supports. I used Telemate earlier, and the issue that I have with it is the same as Telix: evaluation period.

Thanks for the help, DM!

-jag
Code it, Script it, Automate it!

---
þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -

On 10-31-18 14:48, Jagossel wrote to All <=-

Right now, I have a couple of QWK packets to test with, but I cannot
open them for some odd reason. It can unzip the files from the QWK packets, but it errors out saying that it can't open the packet.

What does the error message say?

Also, I know if you setup the QWK packet wrong, Multimail may not be able to open it. I've worked out the best settings for Synchronet. However, the default settings on a Stock Synchronet or Mystic board do work, except they don't enable QWKE, which just means losing a few features like long subject lines.


... SYSTEM ERROR: Press F13 to continue...
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.51
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au

On 11-01-18 07:10, Jagossel wrote to Nightfox <=-

The reason why I need to use a shareware terminal is that I hardly am
on the PC anymore, and I use Magic DOSBox with Kermit on my phone.
IIRC, mTelnet won't download files, and I'm not sure if NetRunner or SyncTERM has a DOS port available. I'll have to look and see.

Eww, I tried BBSing on my phone, but it was just too fiddly, and the reading glasses got a good workout. :D

Kermit works well as a terminal, but it doesn't support XModem, YModem, ZModem, and (obviously SEXYZ). So, I would need to switch terminals.

Try using FTP. That works well for me, when I'm on the phone. I still have it all setup, just in case. :)

Ghost Explorer I think is the name of the app that I use, it can use a variety of transfer protocols, including FTP.


... As a boy, he swallowed a teaspoon. And he hasn't stirred since.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.51
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au

I will have to check with the SysOps and see if they have FTP available. I thought that MTLGeek nor Frugal Computing didn't have FTP available. I'll have
double check. I believe Outwest does; not sure with Digital Distortion.

Mine does. :)

---
þ SLMR 2.1a þ "Everybody's hugging!" - Ralphie Wiggum
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

El 31/10/18 a las 15:48, Jagossel escribió:

So, I am in the process of using an offline reader, and I went ahead and started with MultiMail because it is open source. For the time being, I may just have to tolerate using a sharware terminal to download the QWK packets.

Right now, I have a couple of QWK packets to test with, but I cannot open them
for some odd reason. It can unzip the files from the QWK packets, but it errors
out saying that it can't open the packet.

What basic step(s) am I missing?

-jag
Code it, Script it, Automate it!

Check you multimal config file.
At least on gnu/linux are ~/.mmailrc. If you use another OS, search it
at your profile directory.

---
þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -

---
þ Synchronet þ Dock Sud BBS TLD 24 HS - http://bbs.docksud.com.ar - telnet://bbs.docksud.com.ar

on 11-29-18 12:04 Ragnarok wrote to Jagossel <=-

for some odd reason. It can unzip the files from the QWK packets, but it

error

s

out saying that it can't open the packet.

What basic step(s) am I missing?

-jag
Code it, Script it, Automate it!

Check you multimal config file.
At least on gnu/linux are ~/.mmailrc. If you use another OS, search it
at your profile directory.

It's also possible that the QWK packet is configured incorrectly on the BBS end. I've discovered that using the wrong settings (at least on Synchronet) will cause issues opening QWK packets. I was going to paste my settings, but seems copy/paste doesn't work on my current Linux configuration. :( The Windows box is rebooting as I type. :(


... We have normality, I repeat, we have normality. (Whatever that is.)
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.51
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au