NNTP Gateway for Usenet ( Newsgroups ), Mailing Lists

The latest version: V3.5.0Alpha 1 (21 Jul 2005)

What is it?

This hack provides a gateway from vBulletin forums to the USENET. It allows forum members to read newsgroup messages as well as to send posts to the newsgroups. In a nutshell, it turns vBulletin forums into a basic function news reader.

For an added bonus, this package also supports mailing list archive and forum to mailing list gateway. The software retrieves messages from a pop3 account and import them into the forums threaded. It also allows a forums user to send messages to the mailing list by the forum posting interface.

Why?

The gateway will be appreciated by forum members who do not know how to set up a news reader, or people who do not have port 119 open in their network. A forum interface to read and post news are often considered to be better than a news reader.

The gateway adds more contents to your forums and allows the members to interact with wider audience. It is common to see new users signing up to use this feature.

History

This hack was originally coded by Gilby for vB2. I modified the hack to work with vB3 and have been maintaining and improving the hack. I have now done the modification for this to work with vB3.5.

The very original hack by Gilby can be found here:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...7&page=1&pp=15

The vB3 version can be found here:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=65152

Features

Some of the features and improvement include:

• Handles both newsgroup posts and mailing lists.
• Handles MIME encoded messages and attachment.
• Handles UUEncoded messages.
• Two Admin Control Panels for all settings.
• Automated installation.
• Correct thread implementation. All imported messages and posts sent to newsgroups will be threaded correctly according to References and Message-ID headers.
• Optional setting to thread by subject for mailing lists that strip references header.
• Imported messages will be searchable just like normal forum posts.
• Similar threads are built when the messages are imported if the system setting is on.
• Multiple attachments importing.
• Save attachment to database or file according to vB setting.
• Thumbnail created while importing image files.
• Multiple attachment post to newsgroup is also supported.
• Selectable X-No-Archive header honouring system.
• Light on system resources.
• Global Killfile to filter out unwanted messages. Killfiles can have OR and AND effectiveness.
• Strip footer by setting for incoming messages. Strips out repeated message footers.
• Built options to disable signatures and footers for out going messages.

Future development

• Traditional "> " lead posting interface.

What do you need and do not need?

You do not need to edit vB php files.
No need to manually run SQL.

Installation

Basically the AdminCP interfaces take care of installation as well as upgrade in the background. Back up your database first. The scripts can modify your database without alerting you!

Please follow the instructions in the readme.txt file for more details.

It is not a must to click "INSTALL" for this hack if you use it, I do try better answering the questions from people who do.

Support

Please post your support questions to this thread. Please check the FAQ in the second post within this thread first. It may be surprising, but it is possible your question is answered in the adminCP NNTP settings.

Please always provide more details about your problem. Examples and debug messages will certainly help. Well, if you don't even try to have some effort to compose your question, the answer you get may also not include much effort.

================== UPDATES ======================
Jul 21 2005 (release version 3.5.0 Alpha 1)

AdminCP xml file is written by Kadence.

• Ported to work with vB3.5.
• Existing bug fixes.
• Debug message can be sent by email or logged in vB Tast Scheduler.
• Known problem: image attachment thumb nail creation still needs work.
• Needs to be done: Documentation.

Quick installation instruction:
1) Upload files to their correct directory
2) Enter AdminCP, click on NNTP Settings once to install/upgrade. Change settings to your like.
3) Click on NNTP Groups once to install/upgrade.
3a) For new install. Run once
http://www.yourdomain.com/setlastmsg.php

Delete this file afterwards.
If you are upgrading from an older version. There is no need to upload this file. Actually this file should not be there except brand new install.

4)
Manually run in debug mode: http://forums.yourdomain.com/gateway.php?debug=1

[dodgez]

Originally Posted by Acers

BuMp :ermm:

A couple of my mailing list stopped downloading. I tried to run database repair and got this...



vb_access Check Status: OK
vb_access Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_adminhelp Check Status: OK
vb_adminhelp Optimize Status: OK
vb_administrator Check Status: OK
vb_administrator Optimize Status: OK
vb_adminlog Check Status: OK
vb_adminlog Optimize Status: OK
vb_adminutil Check Status: OK
vb_adminutil Optimize Status: OK
vb_announcement Check Status: OK
vb_announcement Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_attachment Check Status: OK
vb_attachment Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_attachmenttype Check Status: OK
vb_attachmenttype Optimize Status: OK
vb_attachmentviews Check Status: OK
vb_attachmentviews Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_avatar Check Status: OK
vb_avatar Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_bbcode Check Status: OK
vb_bbcode Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_calendar Check Status: OK
vb_calendar Optimize Status: OK
vb_calendarcustomfield Check Status: OK
vb_calendarcustomfield Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_calendarmoderator Check Status: OK
vb_calendarmoderator Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_calendarpermission Check Status: OK
vb_calendarpermission Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_cron Check Warning: 3 clients are using or haven't closed the table properly
vb_cron Check Status: OK
vb_cron Optimize Status: OK
vb_cronlog Check Status: OK
vb_cronlog Optimize Status: OK
vb_customavatar Check Status: OK
vb_customavatar Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_customprofilepic Check Status: OK
vb_customprofilepic Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_datastore Check Warning: 4 clients are using or haven't closed the table properly
vb_datastore Check Status: OK
vb_datastore Optimize Status: OK
vb_deletionlog Check Status: OK
vb_deletionlog Optimize Status: OK
vb_editlog Check Status: OK
vb_editlog Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_event Check Status: OK
vb_event Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_faq Check Status: OK
vb_faq Optimize Status: OK
vb_forum Check Status: OK
vb_forum Optimize Status: OK
vb_forumpermission Check Status: OK
vb_forumpermission Optimize Status: OK
vb_forumread Check Status: OK
vb_forumread Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_holiday Check Status: OK
vb_holiday Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_icon Check Status: OK
vb_icon Optimize Status: OK
vb_imagecategory Check Status: OK
vb_imagecategory Optimize Status: OK
vb_imagecategorypermission Check Status: OK
vb_imagecategorypermission Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_language Check Status: OK
vb_language Optimize Status: OK
vb_mailqueue Check Status: OK
vb_mailqueue Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_moderation Check Status: OK
vb_moderation Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_moderator Check Status: OK
vb_moderator Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_moderatorlog Check Status: OK
vb_moderatorlog Optimize Status: OK
vb_nntp_groups Check Status: OK
vb_nntp_groups Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_nntp_settings Check Status: OK
vb_nntp_settings Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_passwordhistory Check Status: OK
vb_passwordhistory Optimize Status: OK
vb_paymentapi Check Status: OK
vb_paymentapi Optimize Status: OK
vb_paymentinfo Check Status: OK
vb_paymentinfo Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_paymenttransaction Check Status: OK
vb_paymenttransaction Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_phrase Check Status: OK
vb_phrase Optimize Status: OK
vb_phrasetype Check Status: OK
vb_phrasetype Optimize Status: OK
vb_plugin Check Status: OK
vb_plugin Optimize Status: OK
vb_pm Check Status: OK
vb_pm Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_pmreceipt Check Status: OK
vb_pmreceipt Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_pmtext Check Status: OK
vb_pmtext Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_poll Check Status: OK
vb_poll Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_pollvote Check Status: OK
vb_pollvote Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_post Check Status: OK
vb_post Optimize Status: OK
vb_post_parsed Check Status: OK
vb_post_parsed Optimize Status: OK
vb_posthash Check Status: OK
vb_posthash Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_postindex Check Status: OK
vb_postindex Optimize Status: OK
vb_product Check Status: OK
vb_product Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_productcode Check Status: OK
vb_productcode Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_profilefield Check Status: OK
vb_profilefield Optimize Status: OK
vb_ranks Check Status: OK
vb_ranks Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_regimage Check Status: OK
vb_regimage Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_reminder Check Status: OK
vb_reminder Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_reputation Check Status: OK
vb_reputation Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_reputationlevel Check Status: OK
vb_reputationlevel Optimize Status: OK
vb_search Check Status: OK
vb_search Optimize Status: OK
vb_setting Check Status: OK
vb_setting Optimize Status: OK
vb_settinggroup Check Status: OK
vb_settinggroup Optimize Status: OK
vb_smilie Check Status: OK
vb_smilie Optimize Status: OK
vb_stats Check Status: OK
vb_stats Optimize Status: OK
vb_strikes Check Status: OK
vb_strikes Optimize Status: OK
vb_style Check Status: OK
vb_style Optimize Status: OK
vb_subscribeevent Check Status: OK
vb_subscribeevent Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_subscribeforum Check Status: OK
vb_subscribeforum Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_subscribethread Check Status: OK
vb_subscribethread Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_subscription Check Status: OK
vb_subscription Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_subscriptionlog Check Status: OK
vb_subscriptionlog Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_tachyforumpost Check Status: OK
vb_tachyforumpost Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_tachythreadpost Check Status: OK
vb_tachythreadpost Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_template Check Status: OK
vb_template Optimize Status: OK
vb_templatehistory Check Status: OK
vb_templatehistory Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_thread Check Warning: 2 clients are using or haven't closed the table properly
vb_thread Check Status: OK
vb_thread Optimize Status: OK
vb_threadrate Check Status: OK
vb_threadrate Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_threadread Check Status: OK
vb_threadread Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_threadviews Check Warning: 2 clients are using or haven't closed the table properly
vb_threadviews Check Status: OK
vb_threadviews Optimize Status: OK
vb_upgradelog Check Status: OK
vb_upgradelog Optimize Status: OK
vb_user Check Warning: 2 clients are using or haven't closed the table properly
vb_user Check Status: OK
vb_user Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_useractivation Check Status: OK
vb_useractivation Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_userban Check Status: OK
vb_userban Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_userfield Check Status: OK
vb_userfield Optimize Status: OK
vb_usergroup Check Status: OK
vb_usergroup Optimize Status: OK
vb_usergroupleader Check Status: OK
vb_usergroupleader Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_usergrouprequest Check Status: OK
vb_usergrouprequest Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_usernote Check Status: OK
vb_usernote Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_userpromotion Check Status: OK
vb_userpromotion Optimize Status: Table is already up to date
vb_usertextfield Check Status: OK
vb_usertextfield Optimize Status: OK
vb_usertitle Check Status: OK
vb_usertitle Optimize Status: OK
vb_word Check Status: OK
vb_word Optimize Status: OK

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by Acers

BuMp :ermm:

You need 'imap_mime_header_decode' php function. Ask your host if not sure.

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by dodgez

A couple of my mailing list stopped downloading. I tried to run database repair and got this...
...
vb_word Check Status: OK
vb_word Optimize Status: OK

Why run a full table repair when your mailing list importing is not working?

Run the script in debug mode might help finding out the problem.

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by trancetopia

Hi lierduh, i've run into a problem.

Everything is working great apart from posting back to the newsgroups.

I have a forum for jokes which I use alt.jokes and i've just posted a few jokes in there.

I checked via a newsreader to see if they were posted but only the first post was sent or is displaying in the newsgroup. I ran gateway.php?debug=1 after I made the posts and showed they were all posted but only the 1st thread was submitted to the newsgroup.

Any idea why this would happen?

Many thanks for your help.

Paul

If the debug message says the post is ok. Then herhaps the server has got some restriction.

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by Acers

btw in the advanced gateway hacking guide.. you have

FIND
$quickreply

REPLACE it with

<if condition="!$is_usenet">
$quickreply
</if>

i can't seem to find $quickreply anywhere in showthread template. It was there in 3.0x though.

Please ignore that. That was written for vB3.0?
I am waiting the vB turnning gold before spending a weekend to do a proper release.

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by eandhra

gatewayed some groups and after that when I run gateway.php, it is getting

messages to only one group, I tried somany times, it is always coming to only

one group,

what is the problem?

Post debug message.

[dodgez]

Originally Posted by lierduh

Why run a full table repair when your mailing list importing is not working?

Run the script in debug mode might help finding out the problem.

Because it's just a test forum. Started working after I did it.

[Acers]

Originally Posted by lierduh

You need 'imap_mime_header_decode' php function. Ask your host if not sure.

thanks did the trick

Btw another question. Is it possible to make the posting to newsgroups allowed only for particular forums(newsgroups) and not for all.(that is disabled for rest but allowed for some).

And how to add that extusrfor the newsgroup users like you have on your site.

thanks

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by Acers

Btw another question. Is it possible to make the posting to newsgroups allowed only for particular forums(newsgroups) and not for all.(that is disabled for rest but allowed for some).

And how to add that extusrfor the newsgroup users like you have on your site.

thanks

1) It is not possible with the current setup. Unless the table is changed. More code added. As it is, the settings are already confusing some people. Adding more options probably will confuse more.

You can however disable posting using vB settings for some forums, or set the posts to be moderated.

2) I am using a CVS version. Next release will sure include this.

[James T Brock]

lierduh, just want to thank you for releasing an awesome hack and continuing to support it. Thanks!