NNTP Gateway for Usenet ( Newsgroups ), Mailing Lists

The latest version: V2.3.2 (31 Oct 2004)

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 is basically a hacked vB2 NNTP gateway written by Gilby to work with vB3. The original hack can be found here:

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


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.
• Supports TABLE_PREFIX.
• 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

• AdminCP interfaces. (completed)
• Installation/upgrade script. (completed, coded into AdminCP)
• Traditional "> " lead posting interface.

What do you need and do not need?

You do not need to edit vB php files if you use two bookmarks
You need to edit one vB php file to insert two lines of code if you want direct click links within AdminCP.
No need to 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.

Support

Please post your support questions to this thread. Please check the FAQ in the third post within this thread first.

================== UPDATES ======================
Jul 31 2004 (release version 2.2.0)

• Provided option of not importing attachments
• Provided option of pause between messages
• Provided option of not sending messages to USENET
• Provided mechanism to skip importing a message if it was crashed on it
• Provided "Default Footer" option
• Provided strip_footer function for mailing lists
  (written originally by KevinM)
• Provided Killfile functions with Header/Body/AND/OR settings
• Provided ability to thread messages by subject for mailing lists
• Provided ability to use a single POP3 account for different mailing lists
  (use prefix)
• Merged KevinM's attachment routine, save thumbnail to hard drive
  as vB3.0.3
• Official support to have the script run by Scheduled Tasks
• Many bug fixes

Please note, when you manually run the script, you must turn on the debug mode. Otherwise nothing will be displayed on the screen.

To run as debug mode: http://forums.yourdomain.com/gateway.php?debug=1

25 Oct 2004

• Provided the option of sending posts using the real email address
• Provided the option of sending posts using a fixed email address for
  each group.
• Posts are now held back if they are in the moderating queue
• Scheduled task log is now working
• Provided the option of sending the debug messages to the vB3 cron log
• Bug fixes

31 Oct 2004

Fixed bugs running the gateway by the vB3 Scheduled Tasks

1 March 2004

Uploaded the new zip file. It contains one or two bug fixes.

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by SaN-DeeP

Sorry but were do i find those debug messages now ?
i followed the installation files, and did not find anything related to there.

or if i was not able to see them there :S

Thnx.

http://www.yourserver.com/vbdir/gateway.php?debug=1

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by wflynn

Connecting to server, server says: 200 News.GigaNews.Com

Server responded after user name: 381 more authentication required

Server responded after password: 281 News.GigaNews.Com

Info for rec.gambling.poker at news.giganews.com:
211 373019 554640 927658 rec.gambling.poker

Posting Message 'Re: Some ammo for you Online is rigged people' from pokerpartys. Result: 500 syntax error or unknown command

It is possible that the server does not allow you to post.

To further debug, with nntp.php file around line 177,
find
$response = trim(fgets($this->fp, 128));

Add a '.' before the '=', ie.

$response .= trim(fgets($this->fp, 128));

Post the debug message again.

[SaN-DeeP]

hi lierduh, I executed the debug as recommended by you.
It asked for file download, saved the file and here are the contents:

  Gateway version 2.2.1  6 group(s) gatewayed.
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windowsxp.general at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 82644 1 1134161 microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 12198 1 234489 microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware

Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windowsxp.games at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 1569 61797 63443 microsoft.public.windowsxp.games

Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 10033 1 750330 microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion

Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.office.misc at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 6108 154024 160290 microsoft.public.office.misc

Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windows.server.general at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 5688 41878 47717 microsoft.public.windows.server.general

This is the debug message after adding (a '.' before the '=', ie.) as recommended by ya.

Gateway version 2.2.1  6 group(s) gatewayed.
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windowsxp.general at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 82653 1 1134172 microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Getting message number 1134162: 
'Re: XP Service Pack 2' from Malke. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 1134163: 
'WindowsXP Service Pak2' from . Thread found by References.
Getting message number 1134164: 
'Re: Updating to Word 2000' from Malke. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 1134165: 
'find a computer name for an ip????' from Blankman. New thread.
Getting message number 1134166: 
'Re: Email' from Phil. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 1134167: 
'Switching to Outlook vice Outlook Express' from Phil. New thread.
Getting message number 1134168: 
'feand5.SYS - bluescreen/crash' from mito koumon. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 1134169: 
'problem' from Krishna Prabhu. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 1134170: 
'Does Outlook Express honor blocked IP addresses...' from Կ? Mws. New thread.
Getting message number 1134171: 
'runas problems' from Jason Dravet. New thread.
Getting message number 1134172: 
'Re: find a computer name for an ip????' from David Candy. Thread found by References.
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 12275 1 234491 microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Getting message number 234490: 
'After updating Win XP with SP2, CD-R not recording' from Moha Elbitar. New thread.
Getting message number 234491: 
'Infrared problem' from tonyhua. New thread.
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windowsxp.games at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 1541 61797 63443 microsoft.public.windowsxp.games

Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 11652 1 750336 microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion
Getting message number 750331: 
'Re: Error that will not go away' from PCR. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 750332: 
'Re: BIOS settings' from Gary S. Terhune. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 750333: 
'Re: Windows error..@ 0028:C1C25364' from Gary S. Terhune. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 750334: 
'Re: Windows error..@ 0028:C1C25364' from Gary S. Terhune. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 750335: 
'Re: Explorer causes error and can't load at startup' from Third Planet Main. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 750336: 
'Re: How to kill running process?' from Gary S. Terhune. Thread found by References.
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.office.misc at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 5052 155128 160290 microsoft.public.office.misc

Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windows.server.general at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 5770 41879 47719 microsoft.public.windows.server.general
Getting message number 47718: 
'Finding what OU an object belongs to.' from ikempls. New thread.
Getting message number 47719: 
'Re: News Group service' from Jonathan Maltz [MS-MVP]. Thread found by References.

thnx for your support

Regards,

[Andy R]

If posts are moderated, will they still post to the usenet as soon they are approved (the next time gateway.php runs)?

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by organic-hosting

If posts are moderated, will they still post to the usenet as soon they are approved (the next time gateway.php runs)?

I believe the gateway will ignore the moderation (that is your local forums' moderation). If the newsgroup is moderated, than what ever happens after the gateway sending the posts, will depend on the moderation process.

[lierduh]

Originally Posted by SaN-DeeP

hi lierduh, I executed the debug as recommended by you.
It asked for file download, saved the file and here are the contents:
Regards,

There is no new posts to be sent according to the debug message.

[kkiely]

is there something special i need to do in order to have the hack work on more than 1 forum? I instaled it on 2 different sites and both sites will only allow me to pull from 1 Usenet group

[wflynn]

Ok I did the special debug you suggested and it appears NNTP posting isn't allowed. I think it's my webhost please take a look at the debug and let me know what you think my options are.

Gateway version 2.2.1 1 group(s) gatewayed.

Connecting to server, server says: 200 News.GigaNews.Com

Server responded after user name: 381 more authentication required

Server responded after password: 281 News.GigaNews.Com

Info for rec.gambling.poker at news.giganews.com:
211 374481 554640 929120 rec.gambling.poker

Your NNTP server says posting is prohibited!Posting Message '$100 Free - Just For Posting In Our Forums!' from pokerpartys. Result: 440 posting not allowed500 syntax error or unknown command
Posting Message 'Re: $100 Free - Just For Posting In Our Forums!' from pokerpartys. Result: 500 syntax error or unknown command500 syntax error or unknown command
Getting message number 565879:

What do you think my easiest fix is?

[SaN-DeeP]

Originally Posted by lierduh

There is no new posts to be sent according to the debug message.

here is another log, requested a few users to post / reply some threads in those forums:

 Gateway version 2.2.1  6 group(s) gatewayed.
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windowsxp.general at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 84107 1 1134897 microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Posting Message 'Re: querry about firefox' from sachin21. Result: 340 Continue posting - terminate with period441 (629) Article Rejected -- Ill-formed message id '<sachin21.1dne0o@tech-arena@DoNotSpam.com>' in field 'Message-ID:'
Getting message number 1134890: 
'controllers needed for compaq presario SR1000Z' from stijn. New thread.
Getting message number 1134891: 
'Re: secedit' from Dservices. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 1134892: 
'cd writing' from casbill. New thread.
Getting message number 1134893: 
'RE: Can't Print After Windows XP SP2 installation' from juza. New thread.
Getting message number 1134894: 
'Re: controllers needed for compaq presario SR1000Z' from Ross Durie. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 1134895: 
'Re: Accessing modem after installing XP' from David Litchfield. Thread found by References.
Getting message number 1134896: 
'missing module\file' from Q. New thread.
Getting message number 1134897: 
'Re: missing module\file' from Will Denny. Thread found by References.
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 12258 1 234587 microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Posting Message 'Re: PC Freezes on dialup' from sachin21. Result: 340 Continue posting - terminate with period441 (629) Article Rejected -- Ill-formed message id '<sachin21.1dne0p@tech-arena@DoNotSpam.com>' in field 'Message-ID:'
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windowsxp.games at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 1579 61803 63475 microsoft.public.windowsxp.games

Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 10131 1 750428 microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion
Getting message number 750427: 
'error message on startup' from casbill. New thread.
Getting message number 750428: 
'Re: CABLE Internet' from AlmostBob. Thread found by References.
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.office.misc at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 5109 155153 160338 microsoft.public.office.misc
Getting message number 160336: 
'Page scroll is &quot;wavy/ fading&quot;' from kgm. New thread.
Getting message number 160337: 
'I cant write any office documents, locked from modification' from Mr. Midgley. New thread.
Getting message number 160338: 
'Re: shortcut customisation in Word CTRLLeft+SHIFT' from RLEM. Thread found by References.
Connecting to server, server says: 200 NNTP Service 6.0.3790.1146 Version: 6.0.3790.1146 Posting Allowed 
Info for microsoft.public.windows.server.general at msnews.microsoft.com:
211 5785 41932 47776 microsoft.public.windows.server.general

[SaN-DeeP]

Edited the domain name and works now , answered myself..
Great Addon man.. will soon send you some suggestions for new versions

Regards,