README @(#) README newsdump-1.0.tar.gz (c) Gaspar Sinai 1996

newsdump-1.0.tar.gz prpgram set. 24. June 1996. Gaspar Sinai

Copying:
========
Freely redistributable.
Please read the file COPYING. This applies to all programs in this package.

Contents:
=========
This news package contains the following files.

o COPYING 
     Read this file before installation.

o newsdump 
     This is a perl script which downloads news of newsgroups specified 
     in the state file. The state file will be updated so that the 
     next load continues where the previous one stopped. This program 
     designed to be robust enough for modem connections. If the connection
     is lost then the state file will be updated to reflect the current
     state. I tested this program with different versions of perl[4-5]
     on Linux and SunOs.

     The same script can be used to list all groups or make the dump
     into a mail folder.

o newsdump.1
     Man page for the above.

o newspost  
     This perl script takes a batchfile with each line containing a reference
     to a news file (header+body).  If a file in the list that ought to be 
     posted is not posted for some reason,it  will be written back into the 
     batchfile. If all postable files are posted then batchfile will be 
     truncated to zero size.

     This program also supports command line news posting. It can take the
     news article from standard input.

o newspost.1
     Man page for the above.

o news2mail
     This is an example program which demonstrates how to use the files 
     generated by newsdump. This program collects all news files and puts 
     them into a mail folder so that mail readers can be used to examine 
     its contents. Newsdump can do this job from release 0.8. This script 
     is kept for reference.

o mail2news
     This is an example program which demonstrates the usage of newspost 
     script.  The script takes a mail file that contains header and body 
     and posts it.  If the mail file does not contain "Newsgroups:" header, 
     this can be added by a command line option.

o newsdump.cron
     This is an example program which demonstrates how to use newdump and 
     postnews scripts. This can be a cron job to update a small local news
     server with data of a remote nntp server thru a slow and not very good 
     connection.  The script also takes care of postings. I used this 
     with innd 1.4.  Don't forget to set your server and user list.

o sample-state (text data file)
     a sample statefile is provided for reference (newsdump).

o other sample files to test newspost

Installation:
============
I simple installation script is provided. A recommended place for the
executables is /usr/local/bin. However, the  example newsdump.cron expects 
newsdump and newspost to be in /usr/lib/news/newsdump/. In case you consider
using this demo newsdump.cron, which seems a good idea with innd 1.4, 
the best is to create symbolic links 

	/usr/local/bin/newsdump -> /usr/lib/news/newsdump/newsdump
	/usr/local/bin/newspost -> /usr/lib/news/newsdump/newspost
In this case don't forget to create /usr/lib/news/newsdump/spool directory.
With this everything is set.

To install the newsdump, newspost and the man pages, be root and type:
	./install.it
in the current directory.

Possible problems:
-----------------
You will receive a "command not found" if your perl is not in /usr/bin
directory. In this case you have to modify the first line of all perl scripts.

Usage:
=====
Please read the manual pages for further instructions on usage.

I tested these scripts with different version of perl. What you need
is a perl that supports sockets. Any platform might work. I tested most
of the scripts on both Linux and Sun Os. 

I had some problem with socket call (hardcoded) in Solaris. 
I tested it on Solaris and it seems O.K.

Please note that I distribute this program package in the hope that it 
might be useful for you. I can take no responsibility for any damage 
caused directly or indirectly by usage of any of these innoocent files.

Have fun,

Gaspar Sinai <gsinai@gol.com>
http://www2.gol.com/users/gsinai/both.html

Tokyo June 25, 1996

