KorrNews V2.88, status 24.10.2000
© Thomas G. Liesner


This is an English translation of Thomas G. Liesner's KorrNews web pages as of 11/20/2000. Please use the "Summary of all Hamstertools" link (below) to find out about his other Hamster tools...but don't forget that those pages will be in German. The original German-to-English translation was done by the GO translator. Repairing the resulting HTML code and text files, as well as making the English "right" was done by me, Rick Truell. Any errors in the English are the result of the GO translation process (that's my story and I'm sticking to it <grin>!!).

This is not a complete (let alone perfect!) translation...some/lots of the German words did not get translated and, as I don't know German and couldn't see any obvious English words they should be translated to, I left them as they were. As well, I couldn't figure out what some of the English translation was supposed to say, so I left that as it was too. Although incomplete, the amount of translation and fixing that I've accomplished should be enough to allow anyone to successfully figure out how to use the program...and maybe even figure out what the stuff I've missed is supposed to be <grin>!! As I figure out what some of the untranslated or uncorrected stuff means, I'll probably fix it, but only as my available time allows. As well, as Thomas makes updates to his pages, I may also make updates to these pages, but again, only as my available time allows. Meanwhile, enjoy!!!


Summary of all Hamstertools (in German)          Description of "Header.def"         Korrnews history

Table of contents

  1. General information
  2. Application
  3. Configuration / Functions
    1. General settings
    2. Header corrections
      1. Concerning all header lines
      2. Subject-Header
      3. From- and Reply-To-Header
      4. Line-Header
      5. Date-Header
      6. References-Header
      7. Header-Sequence
      8. X-Headers deletion
      9. Copy-Fups-Correction
      10. Hamster-Mails
    3. Body corrections
      1. Body-Header
      2. Signature
      3. Special character declaration (QP/8Bit/Umwandeln)
      4. Indentions
      5. Special Functions (for OE u.a.)
    4. Header.def
  4. Notes on various news readers
    1. Introduction
    2. Forté Agent
    3. Forté Free Agent
    4. Outlook Express & MS News
    5. Netscape Mozilla
    6. Anaware Gravity
    7. XNews
    8. Lotus Notes
  5. Support for Korrnews & Co

1. General information

This program makes it possible to get around various errors of an existing Newsreader/Mailreader, or to complete its' functionality. This is achieved by the fact that Korrnews is called after posting from the News/Mailreader, but before the local news server passes the messages on, and on the basis that the files it adjusts are available as plain text.

Korrnews was developed for use with Hamster. However, it can be used with another server if the appropriate requirements are met.

The "zipfile" contains the following files:

(to the table of contents)


2. Application

Usage within a Hamster script:

New language version, short script:
 #!hs2
 Execute ( "KorrNews.exe Mails News", "", 1, true )
 HamRasDial( "..." )
 HamMailExchange
 HamNewsPost
 HamNewsPull
 HamWaitIdle
 HamRasHangUp
 quit
New language version, long script:
 #!hs2
 #!debug 1
 debug(1, "Warten")
 HamWaitIdle
 debug(1, "Deactivate functions")
 HamMessage ( 2, 0 ) # Reset Counter 
 HamMessage ( 5, 0 ) # Stop SMTP-Server 
 HamMessage ( 3, 0 ) # Stop NNTP-Server
 debug(1, "Starting Korrnews")
 Execute ( "KorrNews.exe Mails News", "", 1, true )
 debug(1, "Making connection")
 HamRasDial( "..." )
 debug(1, "The work begins...")
 HamSendmail ( ... )
 HamFetchmail ( ... )
 ...
 HamNewsPost
 HamNewsPull
 HamWaitIdle
 HamRasHangUp
 Execute ( "mixgroup.exe", "", 1, true )
 Execute ( "CopyFups.exe", "", 1, true )
 HamMessage ( 5, 1 ) # Restart SMTP-Server 
 HamMessage ( 3, 1 ) # Restart NNTP-Server
 print( "Finished!" )
 quit
Mixgroup and CopyFups are additional tools of mine, which are optional or are completely replaceable by CopyIf.

Old version:
 # Counter delete 
 message 2

 # restaurants Mail/News functionality clamp to prevent around 
 # rough messages 
 message 5 0
 message 3 0

 # call Korrnews 
 start.wait "KorrNews.exe Mails News"
 wait.idle

 # make dial-up connection 
 ras.dial "..."
 wait.idle

 # parallel e-mail post/fetch, News post/fetch 
 sendmail "..." "smtp" ""
 fetchmail "..." "pop3" "" "" "..."
 news.post
 news.pull

 # disconnect, if finished 
 wait.idle
 ras.hangup

 # restaurants Mail/News functionality re-activate 
 message 5 1
 message 3 1

 # if necessary, sort responses by CopyFups in special groups 
 start.wait "CopyFups.exe"

In order to be able to directly call Korrnews in this script, the following adjustments are necessary: Korrnews and the Header.def file must be in the Hamster directory; possibly any Sig files to be used must also be there. Korrnews should normally get the Message-Path correctly when it first starts; otherwise it must be retrieved - the path is "Mails\Mail.out" for Mail and "Groups\News.out" for News, both of which must be in the Hamster directory.

All other options for News and Mail must be set separately, if necessary. If one would like different "Header.def"s for Mail and News, one can also set this in the configuration.

One sets the configuration very simply: when Korrnews is started without paramaters, the configuration dialog is immediately displayed.

Possibly, a future verson of Hamster may permit calling Korrnews directly with Posts or Mails. Syntax for that possibility already exists: with "korrnews Type:section name Filename:file name", a text file containing the options of the desired section can be processed.

(to the table of contents)


3. Configuration / Functions

You set the configuration by starting Korrnews without parameters. On the left is a list of the paragraph, for each paragraph there are at present seven sections, whose settings are described below.

The "new" button creates a new paragraph with the default values, "new copy" copies the settings of the current paragraph under a new name and "delete" deletes the current paragraph. New and delete both go into effect immediately, but changes to the settings of an existing paragraph go into effect only after pressing "OK".

The new buttons on the top right permit testing the Durchwechseln of an option page by all defined paragraphs or just the current paragraph.

When using these functions, it is recommended to use "dry runs": simply call Korrnews with the appropriate parameter and look at the modified message files, which saves one from having to make test posts.

The call to Korrnews produces no visible reaction other than a short flashing in the task bar - the only practical way to determine that it has run is by the results. The header "X-Korrnews: Used" is, for example, a very good indicator that the call worked. If one wants to boost the vanity of the author, one can gladly put a reference to the use of Korrnews in any header; this is, however, naturally purely voluntary.


3.1. General settings

MessagePath:
Allows Korrnews to use auxiliary files (ini-file and header.def) in a directory outside of the Message directory. If MessagePath is set, Mail and News processing continues in that directory and not in the Korrnews directory. In connection with Hamster, the paragraph "Hamster directory\Groups\News.out" and "Hamster directory\Mails\Mails.out" are relevant; these are automatically set if Korrnews is installed directly in the Hamster directory.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "Messagepath", default: empty)

FilePath:
Allows Korrnews to use auxiliary files (header.def, signature files with path specification) in a directory outside of the program directory.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "Filepath", default: empty)

Header.def:
If one requires different header definitions in different paragraph (e.g. Mail and News), one can set the header file for each paragraph. In order to process the up-to-date selected file, click on the "Edit" button. The name "Header.def" is rather traditional and really only meaningful with the first versions, which permitted the setting/deletion of individual headers over the Header.def.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "Header.def", default: "Header.def")

File extension of the News/Mail files:
Specifies which files Korrnews works on. For Hamster, the proper setting is "msg". If another server is to be supported (e.g. MTQ), a setting of "*" would be best. An empty entry is for files without an extension.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckFilesWithExtension", default: "msg")

Changing the extension of the modified files:
Allows you to experiment with Korrnews. If this setting is set, the original files are no longer overwritten with the corrected version...instead, the corrected version is created with the extension indicated here. For example, if "new" is specified, then the corrected copy of "00000023.msg" is saved to "00000023.new" and no changes are made to "00000023.msg".
(Korrnews.ini: Option "DontChangeRenameToExtension", default: empty)

Create backups:
Specifies whether or not the original message is to be stored with a "Bak" extension.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "MakeBak", default: "0", where "0" is for "no" and "1" is for "yes")


3.2. Header corrections

The following functions modify the Headers of News or Mails. The defaults have been selected to not cause problems, but one should check them for their own need.


3.2.1 Concerning all header lines

Optimized ISO coding of the header lines:
This function specifically helps users of XNews or Free Agent, whose Header entries are usually falsely (=not at all) coded. It may also be of use to users of Agent, since it does not optimally handle coding: particularly in the Subject line, Agent disturbs everything including the "Re:", so that other newsreaders have unnecessary problems when answering correctly. The improved coding also handles Base64-encoding and the so-called "folding" after 76 characters. The special features of the From and Reply-To Headers are also considered. So far, only the character set ISO-8859-1 is supported when decoding.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckMIMEHeaders", default: "1", thus "yes")


3.2.2 Subject-Header

These functions serve to correct the Subject line, of "concern" to some programs.

"Re: Hello (was: Huhu)" => "Re: Hello":
Shorten the "was" section. According to netiquette, threads are to be renamed according to the following pattern:

 Subject: "Hello"
 Subject: "Re: Hello"
 ...
 Subject: "Tschuess (was: Hello)"
 Subject: "Re: Tschuess"
 ...
Most Windows newsreaders leave the "was:" to be changed manually, so it usually is never done. Korrnews can change this automatically. Korrnews will remove exactly one "(was:...)" if the appropriate option is set (the default), the Subject begins with "Re:" (or one modified accordingly by previous functions) and "(was:...)" exists at the end of the Subject.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckSubjectKillWasAfterRe", default: "1", thus "yes")

"Re: AW: Re: Hello" => "Re: Hello" + list of the "Re" contractions:
Multiple "Re:"s: This option permits automatic shortening of repeated Re's, from "Re: Re: Re: Hello" to "Re: Hello". This really makes sense if the list is filled with false introduction contractions. It is also able to shorten "Re: AW: Re: AW: Ups" to "Re: Ups" or "Re: Re^2: Ups" to "Re: Ups".
(Korrnews.ini: Option "DelDoubleRe", default: "1", thus "yes", and option "AnswerDesignators", default "AW,Re^2,Re^3,Re^4")

Change Subject line to "Re:":
Some newsreader use other contractions, such as the old MS News program or the German Gravity version with the well-known ("AW") or current Lotus Notes with "Response", instead of the correct "Re". With this option, Korrnews can automatically correct the News or Mail by replacing the contraction with "Re". This option only applies if one is using broken software; correcting 'other' false Re's is the responsibility of the previous option.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "ConvertToRe", default: empty)

Change Umlauts in Subject:
Since it is well known that many newsreaders have problems or errors in connection with umlauts in the Subject-Header (Netscape gladly sets a blank in addition, other newsreaders show the things encoded), it would be quite nice to voluntarily do without umlauts in the Subject. With this option, Korrnews accordingly corrects the Subject, if necessary, so that "and tschuess, loves people! (Just my 2€)" becomes "and tschuess, loves people! (Just my 2 euro)". The replacement list is not configurable at present, but it is enough for umlauts. This function operates only if the Subject does not begin with "Re:", since modifications do not make sense within a thread.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckReplaceSubject8Bits", default: "0", thus "no")


3.2.3 From and Reply to headers

mail@adr (name) => "Name" :
There are different ways to format the address header. The most common is the format "Name" , whereby the stating lines are necessary only in certain cases (e.g. "." in name).
This option permits Korrnews to automatically transfer an "old" format generated by the News/Mailreader and/or if necessary needs stating lines to add. Letzeres is necessary with Agent users, since Agent gladly forgets the stating lines.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckFromReplyFormat", Default: "0", thus "No", "1" is for "Yes")


3.2.4 Lines-Header

Calculate again and automatically set:
This option permits Korrnews to automatically correct the Lines header after its' modifications. At present, this function is used only if no Attachments is present. The other alternative is a "Delete Header Lines" statement in header.def, in which case the Mail or new servers will subsequently add this header.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "SetLines", Default: "1", thus "Yes", "0" is for "No")


3.2.5 Date-Header

Create automatically:
This option makes it possible to set the Date-Header during the Korrnews run if it is missing or even if it exists.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "SetDateHeader", default: "0", for "never". Also "1" for "only if missing" and "2" for "always")

Desired format:
Determines the format of the Date-Header, if set by Korrnews. Either "GMT" or "Local"; if the latter, the time zone is indicated as well.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "DateHeaderType", default: "Local", the other option is "GMT")


3.2.6 References-Header

MaxReferencesLength:
Since some news servers have problems with excessive References, this setting permits automatic shortening to an adjustable maximum length. The first and the last three Message-ID's are preserved in any case, and other lines are shortened - if necessary - starting from the second Message-ID.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "MaxReferencesLength", default: 512)

"Folding" activate:
Permits "folding" the References so that:

  References: <899he5.3vvht89.0@mm.invalid.de> <38b84ec1/2fae/3e9_tin-rules@metasystox.qad.org> <89bu3v$o0i$1@onlinenews.germany.net> <27-02-00.22-04-57.dcpm.2071@futzelnet.de> <89e4jj.3vvo747.0@hneu.de> <28-02-00.19-25-32.dcpm.2092@futzelnet.de> <89eqe0.3vvpgep.0@hneu.de> <slrn8bqoh3.ok.usenet@PowerPC.hazardous.org> <MTRD80884C70EC@metrodix.de> <slrn8bvvle.nn.usenet@PowerPC.hazardous.org> <MTRD81354C78DB@metrodix.de>
becomes:
  References: <899he5.3vvht89.0@mm.invalid.de>
    <38b84ec1/2fae/3e9_tin-rules@metasystox.qad.org>
    <89bu3v$o0i$1@onlinenews.germany.net>
    <27-02-00.22-04-57.dcpm.2071@futzelnet.de> <89e4jj.3vvo747.0@hneu.de>
    <28-02-00.19-25-32.dcpm.2092@futzelnet.de> <89eqe0.3vvpgep.0@hneu.de>
    <slrn8bqoh3.ok.usenet@PowerPC.hazardous.org>
    <MTRD80884C70EC@metrodix.de>
    <slrn8bvvle.nn.usenet@PowerPC.hazardous.org>
    <MTRD81354C78DB@metrodix.de>
In the end, using this is purely a matter of taste.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "FoldingReferences", default: "0", thus "no")


3.2.7 Header-Sequence

This option permits the re-arranging of headers according to ones own desires and corresponds to the appropriate "Do Sort Header" instruction within header.def. The latter - if available - is executed after the options here are finished and thus has priority.
Note that the specified headers are to be separated from each other with commas, but a comma must not appear at the beginning or end of the list, since a run time error might occur.
To actual functionality: The option ensures that all specified headers are sorted to the start and in the indicated order. Available, but specified headers will not become ignored, headers that occur seveal times will also be sorted among themselves and all not mentioned headers will appear in their original order below the specified ones.
The specific Hamster Mail headers still have priority, if the appropriate option is active.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "SortHeader", Default: "", thus "No")


3.2.8 X-Header set/delete

Although similar functions are available in Header.def, this option makes them easier to use. You enter only the desired X-Headers, one header per line. The following:

 
 X-Newsreader: Say 'I nich'
 X-Newsreader-secret: Forte Agent incl. Korrnews & Co
 X-Priority
sets an "X-Newsreader" header that overwrites the normal one, sets an new header "X-Newsreader-secret" and deletes a possibly existing "X-Priority" header. If you want to modify other headers (Lines, etc.), you can also use Header.def.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "DelXHeader=Anzahl" and options "DelXHeader-XX=Headerbez")


3.2.9 CopyFups correction

Message-ID starts shorten:
This option is intended for users of my "CopyFups.exe": CopyFups not only copies the Follow-Up's, but completes their Message-ID's, if necessary, from the front around a stringer freely ready for input. If one then answers direct to these copies, the References is naturally no longer correct. This can be repaired by Korrnews again. If CopyFups is in the same directory, Korrnews reads the necessary information directly from the CopyFups.ini (Settings / AddToMessageID). Several deletion ring are possible and must then be separated with commas.
Users of "CopyIf.exe" do not need this option at all, since CopyIf.exe and Korrnews automatically indicate the appropriate specification by means of win.ini.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "KillMessageIDBegins", default: empty)


3.2.10 Hamster-Mails

!MAIL FROM and !RCPT TO - Headers first:
This option ensures that, independently of re-arranging the headers or a temporary deletion of a header, these two headers always come first. Otherwise, Hamster can have problems sending. Turning this option off is therefore not recommended.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "HamsterHeaderFirst", Default: 1 = "on")

Generate RCPT-To list again (To, CC):
If one modifies the To or CC entries of a Hamster Mail, they are not delivered correctly, since the distribution depends on the RCPT-To headers. These can be automatically generated afterwards by means of this option. During the new generation, Korrnews refers back to the To and CC headers. When generating, old entries are not deleted, since otherwise BCC entries do not 'survive'. Around the list to To and CC to thus limit additionally the statement "Delete Header RCPT-To" is necessary in Header.def and the activation of the option described next.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "RecreateRCPT_To", Default: 0 = "off")

Also, if still none available:
For safety's sake, before the RCPT-To list is produced again, Korrnews by default expects a moderate list to already exist. This safety adjustment can be deactivated here.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "RecreateRCPT_To_Always", Default: 0 = "off")


3.3. Body corrections

These options refer to everything below the Headers - however, the options concerning the character coding will also make modifications in the Headers.


3.3.1 Body-Header

Korrnews permits you to insert additional Headers within the message body, which are then automatically transformed into genuine Headers. Options in Header.def control whether or not this is allowed. An example would be a "Supersedes" Header, which otherwise is not available in Agent without additional work.

Usage is as follows:

If the first line begins with "X-" or "@", it is changed into a genuine Header. If the Header to be changed does not begin with "X-", you should use "@" so that it is properly changed. If succeeding lines are detected as Pseudo-Headers (that is, they start with "X-" or "@"), they are also changed.

This:

 X-Newsreader: Sag ich nicht
 X-Irony: Detected
 @Reply-To: ich.habe.auch@diese.Adres.se
 @Organization:
 xyz schrieb:
 > ....

results in:

the normal X-Newsreader Header is overwritten, a Pseudo-Header "X-Irony" is created, the Reply-To is corrected and the Organization Header is deleted (even though it will probably then be recreated by the ISP with its' own setting).

Instead of ":", you can also use "=", which is automatically changed to ":", if no different one is contained. The blank between ":" and the remainder is also inserted if necessary.

The "@"-version is normally deactivated.

With both permanent and temporary Headers, the contents are automatically checked for special characters and, if necessary, converted according to ISO.

Temporary Headers always have priority over permanent Headers.

The Header "x-check-body: no" has special meaning - this stops Korrnews from checking the textbody of the current News/Mail for further Header changes.

Manual X-Headers allowed:
permits additional X-Headers, which can be defined directly in the textbody,
(Korrnews.ini: Option "AllowXHeader", default: "1", thus "yes")

Manual other Headers allowed:
permits setting normal headers with "@" before it.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "AllowAnyHeader", default: "0", thus "no")


3.3.2 Signature

Change in signature separating switches:
To work with Outlook Express signatures, and to anticipate the use of any substitue symbol (most simply "--") in the future, Korrnews can automatically apply the correct signature separation switch ("-- ").
(Korrnews.ini: Option "ConvertToSigDelimiter", default: empty)

Random Sig file:
This option permits the selection of a file with signatures, which - if no Sig is set - is used to attach a Sig. Each Sig in the file must be separated with "--"; if more than one Sig is in the file, the Sig used is randomly selected.
To use newsgroup-specific signatures, you must specify them in Header.def.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "SigFile", default: empty)

Blank line before automatic Sig:
If the Sig is generated by Korrnews (whether by the previous options or through Header.def settings), this option determines whether a blank line is to be inserted between the end of the text and the Sig.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "BlankBeforeSig", default: "0", thus "no")


3.3.3 Special character declaration (QP/8Bit/Umwandeln)

Converting undeclared 8-bit characters:
It is "bad" to use undeclared special characters, according to the RFC's. Korrnews can change these characters as follows:

(Korrnews.ini: Option "Undeclared8BitReaction", default: "1", thus ISO-8859-1)

Converting Quoted Printable (QP):
QP is broken in many newsreaders used by Netizens. This option allows the easy change or - within the practical limits of the QP implementation in the software used - the legible transformation into another format.

(Korrnews.ini: Option "ConvertQPTo", default: "1", thus delete. Teilk. delete)


3.3.4 Indentions

These options provide for the proper indention in the Body. Only lines which begin with a quoting character are changed.

This:

  > >> > Huhu
  > >>Blubb
  > >Hi
  > Like i said

becomes:

  >>>> Huhu
  >>> Blubb
  >> Hi
  > Like i said

According to the standards, ">" and "|" are supported. If required, blanks can be placed between mixed quotation characters in a line: thus ">>|>" becomes ">> | >". The blank between quotation characters and text is also optional.

The correction actions can be temporarily switched off, which is useful for PGP blocks, etc. As well, everything past a signature separating switch can be automatically ignored.

Underlinings like

  >> Huhu, there is a hot woman!
                      ^^^ 
may no longer be correct after changes; such errors in the algorithm are not well-known to me at present.

The options in detail:

Check indentions:
specifies whether the indentions are to be corrected or not.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckQuotes", default: "1", thus "yes")

Blank between quotation characters and text:
specifies whether a blank is to be put between the quotation characters and the text if corrections are made.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckQuotes-AddSpaceBetweenQuoteAndText", default: "1", thus "yes")

Blank between different quotation characters:
if mixed quotation characters are used in a line, this specifies whether blanks are to be put between the different quotation characters.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckQuotes-AddSpaceBetweenDifferentQuoteChars", default: "1", thus "yes")

Permitted quotation character:
specifies which characters are to be considered as quotation characters.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckQuotes-AllowedQuoteChars", default: ">|")

No modifications between:
specifies the strings that define lines between which correction is to be switched off; no changes are made to any lines falling between lines containing the specified strings. A "*" at the end means the string must occur at the beginning of a line, a "*" at the beginning means that the string must occur at the end of a line and a "*" at both the beginning and end means that the string may occur anywhere within a line.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckQuotes-DoNotChange-Begin", default: "-----BEGIN PGP*", and option "CheckQuotes-DoNotChange-End", default: "-----END PGP*")

No modifications after signature separation switch:
allows correction of quotation levels to occur only up to the first signature separation switch found.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "CheckQuotes-DoNotChangeAfterSigDelimiter", default: "1", thus "no check")


3.3.5 Special Functions

Delete at the start of line:
When using Agent, I now and then have the need to use long lines (source code, Forwards and Netdigest, among other things). This option allows Agent to leave these long lines alone while wrapping all other lines as necessary. If you enter "#+#" here and set a "#" into Agent's list of quotation characters, Agent will no longer wrap lines beginning with "#+#" and Korrnews will remove the "#+#" from each line before sending. Thus, arbitrarily long lines that arrive at the recipient completely normal are possible.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "DelAtBegin", default: empty)

Blank line before "Lines" module:
"Set/Append Lines" is a special instruction for the Header.def, in order to automate e.g. a final soot. Hereby it is determined whether before these lines a blank line is required.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "BlankBeforeLines", default: "1", thus "yes")

Delete blank lines at the end of News/Mail:
This function is particularly meant for Outlook Express users: completely blank lines at the end of the News or Mail are deleted automatically - thus eliminating the two blank lines added by OE at the end of each message.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "DeleteEmptyLines", default: "1", thus "yes")

OE-Comb-Quoting-Repair:
This function is particularly meant for Outlook Express or Notes users: These have not since x versions been able to exclude quoted text from the line formatting. This error can hopefully be automatically eliminated here, if the original quotations are not excessive or are so briefly adjusted by the line formatting that very short lines are made.
The repair function pulls lines together if the first line begins with one ">" and the second line doesn't, if the length of the assembled line is between 60 and 90 characters long, and the second line is under 15 characters long or contains no blanks. This should repair most cases and avoid errors to a large extent. In ones own interest, one should always put a blank line between quotations and ones own text.
(Korrnews.ini: Option "KillOEWordWraps", Default: "0", also "No")


3.4. Header.def

This file permits very flexible corrections; for details see Header.txt. However, one really should know what one is doing before changing this file.

(to the table of contents)


4. Notes on various news readers

4.1. Introduction

Here is a small overview for using the special features of Korrnews with specific news readers.


4.2. Forté Agent

The option "Re: Hello (was: Huhu)" => "Re: Hello" leads - if "Threading by Subject" - to the fact that not only is a new thread begun for this renamed Subject, but also when "(was:...)" is changed. I consider the option useful nevertheless.

If ones own name includes special characters like ".", one should activate the option concerning From/Reply-To.


4.3. Forté Free Agent

The option "Re: Hello (was: Huhu)" => "Re: Hello" leads - if "Threading by Subject" - to the fact that not only is a new thread begun for this renamed Subject, but also when "(was:...)" is changed. I consider the option useful nevertheless. Further special features are not to be considered.

The option "converting undeclared 8-bit characters" should be set to either "declaration as ISO-8859-1" or "convert into 7-Bit-Characters", since Free Agent does not define umlauts correctly.

If ones own name includes special characters like ".", one should activate the option concerning From/Reply-To.


4.4. Outlook Express & MS News

The OE-Comb-Quoting-Repair should be used, around quotations without continuous expenditure correctly in addition wars.

The option "Change in signature separating switches" should be used, if one attaches Sigs created in OE.

The option "Delete blank lines at the end of News/Mail" is also very recommended.

AFAIK, ms News uses the contraction "AW" instead of "Re". The option "Change Subject line to "Re:"" can correct this by entering "AW" there.

These unnecessary header entries for Usenet postings can be deleted by Header.def or with the option "X-Header delete":

 X-Priority:
 X-MSMail-Priority:
 X-MimeOLE:


4.5. Netscape Mozilla

The option "Optimized ISO coding of the header lines" is not really necessary with Mozilla, since it already codes rather perfectly, but no damage is done if it is used. The partly more primitive coding of Korrnews is even more useful, since the Mozilla version is not interpreted 100% correctly with various news readers.

With Header.def or the "X-Header delete" option, one can delete an unnecessary header and, in most cases, clear up the incorrectly produced Message-ID:

 Message ID:
 X-Accept-Language:


4.6. Anaware Gravity

The German version of Gravity uses the contraction "AW" instead of "Re". The option "Change Subject line to "Re:"" can correct this by entering "AW" there.

The option "converting undeclared 8-bit characters" should be set to either "declaration as ISO-8859-1" or "convert into 7-Bit-Characters", since Gravity does not define umlauts correctly.


4.7. XNews

The option "converting undeclared 8-bit characters" should be set to either "declaration as ISO-8859-1" or "convert into 7-Bit-Characters", since XNews does not define umlauts correctly.

XNews does not set the "Date-Header" so, if necessary, Korrnews can set it so that the exact posting time will be in the "Date-Header".

The Header.def should contain the following for mailing lists:

 ; X-News-bug concerning Mailantworten
 If Header(In-Reply-To) = "" and Header(To) > ""
   In-Reply-To: %Last(Header(References))%
 endif


4.8. Lotus Notes

Lotus Notes uses the contraction "Response" instead of "Re". The option "Change Subject line to "Re:"" can correct this by entering "Response" there. One should delete the double Re's directly.

The OE-Comb-Quoting-Repair should be used, around quotations without continuous expenditure correctly in addition wars.

Further errors which can be corrected are not well-known to me, essentially because of the fact that Notes should have been rather completely useless as newsreader and thus is hardly used in Usenet.


5. Support for Korrnews & Co

Support for Korrnews, CopyFups, MixGroup and CopyIf can be found in the de-hierarchy, particularly in

news:de.comm.software.newsreader

and in the Hamster hierarchy in the groups

news:hamster.de.newusers
news:hamster.de.tools

If errors or special problems emerge, you can also contact me, although quick replies naturally cannot be guaranteed. Please do not write to my gmx address but, depending on the program, to:

hamster-tools@tgl.westfalen.de
korrnews@tgl.westfalen.de
copyif@tgl.westfalen.de
copyfups@tgl.westfalen.de
mixgroups@tgl.westfalen.de


Have fun with Korrnews!

Thomas's G. Liesner

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