Part III. Binaries (Uploading/Downloading
Binaries/FileGrabber) [Alt: I Gotta Be in Pictures!]

01. Ques: How / where do I get the pictures?
02. Ques: What is FileGrabber / Where do I get it?
03. Ques: What is MIME encoding, and how do I decode it?
04. Ques: How do I upload pictures to newsgroups?
05. Ques: I'm trying to download hotnhevy.jpg and I keep getting
               42335234.txt. I don't want text, I want graphics!
               What's happening?
06. Ques: So I downloaded a file and my decoder says "what graphic?"
               Now what do I do?
07. Ques: How do I open "movies"?
08. Ques: What is the Binary Filter?
09. Ques: How do I find the programs mentioned in the FAQ?
10. Ques: When I go to download multimedia files, they download
               as file_name.mpg.000 , file_name.mpg.001 , etc.
               How do I view these files?
Addendum: Note for Macintosh users.

==============================================================

01: Ques: How / where do I get the pictures?

Aurictouch answers:

There are two types of newsgroups: Text and Binary. Anything that is not
straight text (pictures, sounds, etc) is classed as a binary, and found in
newsgroups labeled "binary". For example:
alt.binaries.clip-art (Yes, that is a real newsgroup. And it is
amazingly free of X-rated spam). One good way to make yourself well known
and very unpopular is to request (or, if you *really* want to make enemies,
do it yourself) the uploading of binaries to a text newsgroup.

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02: Ques: What is FileGrabber / Where do I get it?

RGordon202 answers:

FileGrabber is a utility that runs on the AOL newsgroup servers.
When a binary post has been decoded FileGrabber will retrieve it so
that you can download it as a "file", instead of a "message".
FileGrabber works best if you turn on the binary filters or list the
oldest posts first.

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03: Ques: What is MIME encoding, and how do I decode it?

Aurictouch answers:

Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) is a method by which binary files
are encoded into text files so they can be sent via Usenet. These files can be
decoded by several different utilities.
Use the find function at the top of your AOL screen and type in MIME to be
given a choice of several decoders, since FileGrabber sometimes takes a day or
so to decode files.
Animated GIF Man adds:

MIME files, those that come in E-Mail as file_name.mim or appear as Base 64
ASCII txt in USENET NGs, should be downloaded in E-Mail (or saved from USENET)
as *.b64 (instead of *.mim). Winzip (6.3+) from:
http://www.winzip.com/downauto.cgi?winzip81.exe
can be launched which will automatically extract/(decode) the single or
multi-part files from the MIME document (*.b64). Current version: Winzip 8.1

[Editor's note: There are many other programs that will decode .b64 files.
WinZip, Wincode, and Stuffit from Alladin Software are just a few of them.]

For MAC users, Nosycat adds:

To decode a MIME file (one with a .mim or .mme extension), simply drag and drop
it onto your decoder icon, then follow the instructions for your decoder. Be
sure to SAVE the decoded files WITH the appropriate extension (.jpg, .gif,
etc.) added to the file name, and remember where you saved it.
With QuickTime 3 (QT3), you can then usually simply double-click on the decoded
file to open it or, in many cases, open the file through AOL's "Open" command,
found under AOL's File menu. If the decoded file is an animated GIF, open it
through your browser to make it move.

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04: Ques: How do I upload pictures to newsgroups?

[Editors note: An encoder is a program that takes a binary file (such
as a picture, video, or sound) and converts it into a text file. This
is necessary because only text can be posted to newsgroups. Your AOL
software does not include an encoder that can be used for newsgroups.
If you want to post binaries you must install an encoding program.]

Animated GIF Man answers:

Below are instructions for WINCODE: V2.7.3c Encoder/Coder
or Keyword: aol://4401:10855:2354941

These should work for any encoder which allows a single input file to be
split into multiple output files of 28,000 bits (28KB) or less. Another
encoder is VuePrintPro_32. Files encoded with VuePrint should be split
every 460 lines (approx. 27,000 bytes). From top of VuePrint menu, hit:
Options->Output->Encode Lines and enter: 460 Hit OK, then on:
Options->Save Options to keep this change.
*NOTE*: Choosing any higher number for # of lines per part, will make
sections TOO LARGE to post through AOL, so use 460 as indicated please.
The latest version of VuePrint [8.0] is available for download at:
http://www.hamrick.com/upg.html

[Note: Wincode is an excellent, easy to use encoder/decoder. And it is
free. But, since it is a 16-bit Windows program, it will not handle
long file names. Wincode, like all 16-bit Windows and DOS programs, can
use only eight characters for the file name and three characters for the
file extension. This is the DOS 8.3 format. For example:
If you have a file called "MY PICTURE.JPEG" Wincode will change the name
to "MYPICT~1.JPE". When the file is decoded it will have the name that
Wincode gave it, not your original file name. If your file names
conform to the DOS 8.3 format Wincode will not change them.]

*NOTE*: Files encoded for posting through AOL using XferPro_32 (if this
is your encoder of choice) need to be 99 parts (or less) as XferPro_32
has a 99-part file size limitation. At 28,000 bytes [encoded] per part
(as outlined below), that limits your overall file size that can be
posted to 1,912kb [or an approx. initial file size of 1,957,900 bytes].

One option is WinCode 2.7.3c
The file wanted is: 16-bit (does work in Win95/98/NT/2000/XP editions):

Posting with WinCode 2.7.3c is a THREE step process.

1.) You must configure the encoder for use with AOL.
2.) You need to properly ENCODE your files to UUE format.
3.) You need to post the files properly.

Follow this series of *Mouse-Clicks* to get correctly set up
the first time & your "configuration" will always be OK:

Step ONE [Configuring WinCode 2.7.3c for AOL posting]:

Launch WinCode 2.7.3c->
Options->
Configuration->
Encode Tab (at bottom)->
"X" (check) first 3 options in top left (vertical) column->
Clear (UN-check) the remaining 9 boxes on top menu->
"Bytes per File" = 28500
Extension for encoded files = "Default"
CODE TYPE = "UUE"
File Type = "MS-DOS"
"Encode File Directory" is purely a personal preference.
It's where the encoded parts are for posting to News Groups.
SAVE (Hit "OK)->
Close Wincode 2.7.3c

If followed to the letter above, you now are correctly configured
for encoding files for posting to News Groups via AOL and you will
not have to ever make further adjustments to same.

Step TWO [Encoding the file.]

Start WinCode 2.7.3c and use its File menu to find and encode the
file. If you put a shortcut to WinCode 2.7.3c on the Desktop you
can drag a file from Windows Explorer and drop it into the shortcut
icon. If you put a shortcut to WinCode 2.7.3c in the Send To
folder you can "right-click" on a file and select:
"Send to-> "WinCode 2.7.3c" in the context menu.
Any of these methods will produce the required UUE file(s).

Step THREE [Posting Single or MULTI-part BINARY files]:

Open the newsgroup where you want to post the files. You can do this with
the online newsreader or the offline reader (PFC). If you want to use the
PFC you will have to use an AutoAOL session to download at least one post
from the newsgroup you wish to post to into your PFC offline reader.

If posting a SINGLE part binary file, do so as follows for Subject line:
[Description]: - [File_Name.JPG(or GIF) (or ZIP, etc.)] (01/01)
*NOTE*: Do not actually put the [brackets] on the subject line.

You can do an IDENTICALLY labeled (00/01) line & in the body of this posting
describe the file in fuller detail, mention a URL (web address) where the
remainder [if part of a series] can be found, etc... This is an acceptable
TEXT post to a BINARY newsgroup & is considered good "netiquette" to do so,
especially in the case of several files in a series, here you can label a
(00/00) line describing same.

After filling in the Subject line as outlined above:

Description: - File_Name.JPG (01/01)

Use a plain text editor such as Windows Notepad to open the UUE file(s).
*NOTE*:Do *NOT* use a word processor or the AOL program because they might
insert formating and HTML code that will corrupt the UUE file.
Hit FILE-> OPEN [direct the file folders to the directory in which the UUE
file is stored], highlight the [file_name.UUE] file that is listed & hit
"OK"-> Edit-> "Select All"-> Edit-> "Copy"-> CLOSE the *.UUE file.
Put your blinking cursor in the BODY of the posting window for the newsgroup
you are posting to & hit either Edit-> "Paste" or [Ctrl+V] keys
simultaneously. The encoded file is now displayed. Hit SEND.
Congratulations! You just posted your first binary file!

Only "cosmetic" differences apply to multi-part posts, but are extremely
IMPORTANT if you want other AOL-ers to be able to get your files using the
File Grabber feature. The subject line *must* be exactly identical in
*every* way ('CaSe SeNsItIvE' & all spacing must line up exactly the same
on each multi-part posting). The *only* variance allowed is in the actual
PART #'s of the file. For example:
Suppose you wanted to post a file that had encoded out to 3 parts total,
then each multi-part Subject line must read as follows:

(Description): - File_Name.JPG (01/03)
(Description): - File_Name.JPG (02/03)
(Description): - File_Name.JPG (03/03)

On each partial post, make certain you are opening & copy/pasting the
correctly #-ed section of the file. Other than that, there is nothing
else you need know about single or multi-part binary posting via the
AOL News Reader. Feel free to copy this information as a TEXT file for
later referral or pass onto friends who ask how you posted from AOL.

For MAC users, Nosycat adds:

The easiest way to upload pictures is to use: ENCODE: UULite 3.0
ENCODE: UULite 3.0 downloads at Keyword: aol://4401:8425:700589
Follow the instructions CAREFULLY, and make sure that your file name
indicates the TYPE of file you're uploading and, if there are multiple parts
to the file, the part names are identical, except for the number of the file
(for example):
Peacock GIF Part 1/3, Peacock GIF Part 2/3, Peacock GIF Part 3/3
Caveat: When setting up UULite's Encoding Preferences to use with AOL, do
NOT select America Online Compliant, since it still has problems.
Instead, set the Max Number of Lines to 380 and select Output as Mac Text.

For detailed posting instructions, download the America Online Binaries FAQ,
by Leslie Jones. Exact download instructions are found in Part 4.07 of that
FAQ. You can find that FAQ in AOL's software files (search for binaries).
Most of the contents of that FAQ were written in 1995/1996, so some of it is
now obsolete, but it's a good overview document and worth taking a look at.

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05: Ques: I'm trying to download hotnhevy.jpg and I
keep getting 42335234.txt. I don't want text.
I want graphics! What's happening?

MzLindyOne answers:

Three possible reasons:

1) Due to the number of posts lately, FileGrabber has about a day of backlog.
Mark it unread, and wait a day or two; or save it to disk as hotnheavy.uue or
hotnheavy.b64 (depending on the encoded format), and open with, for example,
Winzip 6.3+ (latest version 8.1) at:
http://www.winzip.com/downauto.cgi?winzip81.exe

2) It is a multipart post, and FileGrabber cannot find all the parts.
Here is the workaround for this:

1. Mark the article unread.
2. DO NOT mark the group "All Read".
3. Set Preferences for 30 days, use "List All", and try again.
4. Wait a day or two for the rest of it to be posted, and try again.

Hints: Be sure to use the "More" button as many times as it is available
before attempting the download. Alternatively, collect the text parts,
paste them together in a single unit (in the correct order), and decode
manually. If you have waited 5 days and still don't have all the parts,
you probably never will unless the original poster reposts.

3) It is a corrupt post; see the next question.

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06: Ques: So I downloaded a file and my decoder says
"what graphic?" Now what do I do?

Animated GIF Man answers:

Some graphics are going to come through "corrupt" regardless of what
you do to try to view them. Can be caused by any number of reasons:

*Aborted upload
*Line "noise" on the sender's end
*AOG (Act of God)
*MAC "headers" on some graphics file on first line of coding.

[Editors note: MAC headers should be a problem only if you use Windows.]

Animated GIF Man continues:

This last one is usually the most common cause for the "Image-3 error"
(Not a valid Image file). Usually renaming to a WRI or TXT file & opening
in an ASCII text editor & removing the line that says something like:
"Created in Adobe Photoshop (whatever version)" will correct this. Some
other graphics viewers can handle (recognize) these headers for what they
are & display the image regardless.
I usually have good success opening the image in ThumbsPlus 3.30
(latest 3.* version) or Thumbsplus 4.5 or 5.01 (latest 4.* + 5.* versions)
which are available at: http://www.cerious.com/
Cerious Software is contactable here on AOL at: CeriousSW (or Cerious2).
Contact name is Laura Shook (last I checked). I open the file and then
"outline" itself in the editor then hit "Edit Crop" & then re-save as
itself & those "headers" are removed & the image will then view within
AOL (or any other viewer) fine.

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07: Ques: How do I open "movies"?

Nosycat answers:
(program links updated by Animated GIF Man):

For the MAC user:

QuickTime 5's MoviePlayer allows you to open and view a variety of multimedia
files, including AVI files. If it does NOT work for the particular file you
have, try some of the following (you can find most of these in AOL's software
files):

Sparkle 2.4.5 (fat) (for MPEG files and PICT files) MacAnim Viewer 1.1 (GL viewer)
VFW (Video For Windows) aka Indeo AVI Viewer Kit is a MAC utility that converts
AVI files into QuickTime files that you can then view through MoviePlayer).

[Editor's note: QT5 is also available for Windows at Keyword: Apple.
Other movie viewers can be found at Keyword: Viewers.]

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08: Ques: What is the Binary Filter?

RGordon202 answers:

The binary filter is a new preference setting that is available only in
true binary newsgroups (those that have "binaries" in the name).
The filter must be set for each newsgroup individually by clicking on
"Preferences" and putting a check mark in the box at the top of the window.
This turns the filter ON. Removing the check mark turns the filter OFF.
With the filter ON, your list of posts will show only those that have been
decoded and can be downloaded as files. You will not see binaries that have
not been decoded. You also will not see any text files.
If you want to find a post that might describe a file, or group of files, you
will have to turn the filter OFF, exit newsgroups completely, and then go back
into your newsgroup.
When the filter is OFF you will see all of the posts in the group.

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09: Ques: How do I find the programs mentioned in the FAQ?

Animated GIF Man answers:

Some of the programs have URLs listed, such as:
http://www.hamrick.com/upg.html (VuePrint Pro 32 [8.0 is latest version])
http://www.cerious.com/download.shtml (Thumbs Plus 5.01 latest version 2064).
http://www.cerious.com/download.shtml (Thumbs Plus 4.50 latest version 2041).
http://www.cerious.com/downloadv3.shtml Thumbs Plus 3.30 latest version).
http://www.winzip.com/downauto.cgi?winzip81.exe (WinZip 8.1 latest version).
These are the address of sites on the World Wide Web. To visit any of these
sites you can copy the URL and paste it into a Keyword window or click on any
of them in this posting if the hyperlink is active to automatically start
your AOL web browser and take you to the site. You can also paste the URL
into another web browser [MSIE desktop browser or Netscape, for example].
If you do not have a URL, or do not want to use a web browser, you can search
for the program in the AOL software libraries. Keyword: File Search
will allow you to search the AOL software libraries. You can also get there
by using the "Find" or "Search" button if you have one. You can search for
a file type, such as MIME, or a program name, such as Wincode.

If searching for a program you should not include the version number, look for
"Wincode", not "Wincode 2.7" (or enter the exact file name if known).
The "Find" or "Search" button (at the top of the AOL window) has links that
allow you to search AOL's libraries and the web.
If you have an icon that looks like a floppy disk and magnifying glass,
clicking it will take you directly to the file search window.

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10. Ques: When I go to download multimedia files, they
download as file_name.mpg.000, file_name.mpg.001,
etc. How do I view these files?

Animated GIF Man answers:

dffydk53@aol.com (Dffydk53)
<20020116151559.02163.00000313@mb-fo.aol.com> asked:

>
> I often see movie files with the extension ".000, .001", etc.
> When I download a file named abc.mpg.001, for instance, it is
> not recognized as an mpg (or mov or avi) file, and therefore,
> I can not play it. Any answers? Thanks.
>

These file extensions you mention indicate that they are sections
of a larger file named abc.mpg (to use your example). These
sections differ from multi-part binaries where not all the parts
appear and are therefor not downloadable decoded. What you are
downloading *is* 'decoded' but it(they) is(are) still only a portion(s)
of the larger file(s).

They have been 'split' into sections by a program called
"Master Splitter" (MAC version is 'ChunkJoiner' I believe)...

The analogy I've used in the past to describe what these are is to
picture yourself baking a loaf of bread. While all you have is still
flour, water, yeast, and a bread pan,. the loaf (or file) is 'encoded'.
When the bread bakes (or the file downloads) it is 'decoded'.
When the "Master Splitter" program is used it, in effect 'splits' the
loaf of bread (or file) into 'slices' (or sections) of the baked
(decoded) file. A file_name.mpg.000 file (normally about 38 bytes)
is the 'bread pan' that all the ingredients (file sections) are 'baked'
(decoded or re-joined) into. Any section could simply be renamed:
file_name-chapter01.mpg, and so on OR be 're-joined' into the
original larger file again in one of two ways:

[assume that our file had 12 sections plus a 000 and a BAT file]:
Sometimes, a poster will also post a file_name.mpg.BAT file
that contains coding similar to the following:

@Echo Off
Echo.
Echo Creating file_name.mpg from the 12 original pieces.
Echo.
Echo This may take a while...
Echo.
Echo Copying Parts 001 - 009...
Echo.
Copy /b "file_name.mpg.001" "file_name.mpg" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.002" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.003" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.004" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.005" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.006" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.007" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.008" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.009" /y > nul
Echo.
Echo Copying Parts 010 - 012...
Echo.
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.010" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.011" /y > nul
Copy /b "file_name.mpg" + "file_name.mpg.012" /y > nul
Echo.
Echo File creation is complete - file_name.mpg
Echo.
Echo.
Echo.
Echo.
Echo.

This BAT file and the commands inside tell your computer to
rejoin all the 'slices' (sections) back into a single larger
file named: file_name.mpg

Some people are a bit leary about downloading 'executable'
file extensions in newsgroups or from otherwise unknown
sources (which is perfectly understandable), so there is a
second method (considerably 'safer' for the downloader) to
rejoin these files. That is to download and install:

Master Splitter 3.5h (latest public version) at either of these:
http://pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,5132,00.asp

http://ftp.pcworld.com/pub/new/utilities/file_management/mspt35h.zip

or TomaSoft's *very latest* version: 4.1 i (WinXP-compatible)
on their site at: http://www.tomasoft.com/mswin95.htm

or directly as: http://www.tomasoft.com/mspt32install.exe

or if you prefer a ZIP file: http://www.tomasoft.com/mspt32.zip

By using the 'Master Splitter' program to rejoin the sections,
you only need:
file_name.mpg.000 and all the subsequent numbered sections,
but not the (potentially risky) BAT file.

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Addendum (courtesy of Nosycat):
[AOL file search hyperlinks by Animated GIF Man]

MAC USERS, PLEASE NOTE:

MAC-related answers in Part III assume that you have QuickTime3 installed.
If you don't, download (Keyword: Apple) and install it ASAP
-- it will save you many headaches!!
QT3 runs on any 68020, 68030, 68040, and PowerPC (PPC) Mac using OS 7 and
above. PPCs need a minimum of 16 megs of RAM; the others need a minimum
of 8 megs of RAM. Of course, the more RAM, the better.
When you download QT3, you will also get a new version of MoviePlayer,
PictureViewer, and the QT Plug-in for use with your browser.

You will need a decoder -- shareware decoders such as UULite and uucdPPC
(for a PowerPC) are available in AOL's software files (click on the
floppy-with-a-magnifying-glass icon in your Toolbar or got to
Keyword: File Search, to MAC library and search for
the word decoder); another good decoder can be found at:
http://www.concentric.net/~Columbin/

You will also need some picture viewing software, such as JPEGViewer (which
also handles GIF and some other formats), GIFConverter (which also handles
JPEG, PICT, and TIFF formats), and GraphicConverter (which handles GIF, PICT,
BMP, JPEG, and some other formats).
Most of these are available in AOL's software files. (BTW, if you use ANY
shareware, PLEASE send the developers a check -- it helps feed them and
inspires them to keep up the good work!).

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