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MicroPlanet Gravity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQs - General Questions About Gravity 
01: Does Gravity work with Windows Vista and Windows 7?
02: What problems are known with Vista?
03: Upgrading - Will Gravity convert my existing databases?
04: Upgrading - Can I use older executables if I install?
05: Can Gravity filter on "extra" headers?
06: Can Gravity combine groups from different servers in one list?
07: Does Gravity use Plain Text or Regular Expression filtering?
08: Can Gravity show X-Faces?
FAQs - Using Gravity
09: Why can't I see articles that I have read?
10: How do I make the display filter stay the way I want?
11: How do I sort articles in descending order?
12: How do I format the date and time display?
13: Can I set an ID Token or FQDN in the Message-ID?
14: Can I set a munged (fake) e-mail address?
15: How can I add a custom header like X-No-Archive or X-Face?
16: Are Gravity's Regular Expressions case sensitive?
17: I know my PCRE is correct in my rule, why does it not work?
18: Can I get more than 2000 articles when I subscribe to a group?
19: How do I get older articles, or all articles in a group?
20: Are there settings for the SPACEBAR behavior?
21: How do I make a "less than" lines rule condition?
22: Can I backup my Gravity Installation?
FAQs - Binaries
23: Does Gravity decode yEnc encoded binaries?
24: Is NZB or header compression supported?
25: Can Gravity open multiple connections to the server?
26: Why do I get an error mentioning Gallery?
27: I tried to see a binary, why do I only see funny characters?
28: Where can I see the list of pending decode jobs?
29: Why do I only see hour glasses - nothing is happening?
30: I decoded an attachment - where is it?
31: Can Gravity display Multi-Part Binaries as one article?
32: How can I stop a download with many parts?
33: Can I set another viewer?

FAQs - General Questions

UP 01: Does Gravity work with Windows Vista and Windows 7?
Yes. Gravity versions 2.9 and higher work with XP, Vista, and Windows 7, including 32 and 64 bit versions. We recommend installing Gravity in the default directory.
UP 02: What problems are known with Windows 7 or Vista?
Older versions (2.7 - 2.8) usually work but you have to deal with UAC. You should be using newer versions if you run Windows XP or newer. But if you must use an old version be aware of the following.
  • Users with Administrator rights usually do not have problems installing in "Program Files" If you do not have administrator rights, you should install Gravity outside of Program Files. Some users prefer to install in another location (not in "Program Files") to reduce problems associated with permissions or Vista's User Store and UAC
  • Gravity's old help file (Gravity.hlp) will NOT work in Vista/Win 7. Vista and 7 do not support the old .hlp format (although there are fixes available). Newer Gravity versions include a .chm help file.
  • Gravity Versions up to and including 2.7.11 may return an error when trying to set Gravity as the Default News Application. Do not try to set it.
  • If the install directory is "Program Files," your decoded binaries will be in the User File Store. You might have less headaches if you change the decoding directory (View - Global Options - Decode).
UP 03: Upgrading - Will Gravity convert my existing databases?
If you are upgrading from versions prior to 2.7.1 (including 2.70 the original open source version) - YES. The database structure changes at Build 2.7.1 and higher. You will NOT be able to use version 2.7 and lower executables with the converted databases. You can restore your old databases and settings if you save a backup. Databases from version 2.7.1 through 2.9.x are compatible.
UP 04: Upgrading - Can I swap older executables if I install?
Only in the old Versions 2.7.1 through version 2.8. Earlier versions, including 2.70, will NOT work and will corrupt or not read the databases after they have been converted. You should save a back up before experimenting. With newer versions, 2.9 and greater, you should uninstall and reinstall Gravity rather than try to swap an older executable (if you export a *.gdx file before uninstalling, you can import your data and settings).
UP 05: Can Gravity filter on "extra" headers?
Yes, in versions beginning with 3.0. The headers (actually the full article text) are included in a BODY condition. In other words, anywhere a BODY Rule, Score, or Search condition works. In the Search Window there is also an option to search headers. Note the article has to be local or it will be downloaded, just like searching in the body. Using BODY conditions work best if you are storing article bodies.
Note that with PCREs, the DOT_ALL option is not enabled by default and dot repetitions (.+ or .*) will stop at new lines. The user can force the dot match newlines as well as any character by using the PCRE option (?s). An example for two words occurring on different lines is (?s)first.+second
In versions before 3.0 - NO. Gravity's filters, rules, and scoring only work on the "From:" "Subject:" "Date:" and "Message-ID:" headers. It also stores "Lines:" information for rule and filter conditions.
UP 06: Can Gravity combine groups from different servers in one list?
No, Gravity supports multiple servers, but separately. However, you can easily do this with a local news server or proxy like Hamster, Newsplex, or Newsproxy.
UP 07: Does Gravity use Plain Text or Regular Expression filtering?
Both. Gravity's filters, rules and scoring can use either. You can mix them together. Gravity's regular expressions are Perl Compatible Regular Expressions (PCREs, ver 4.4).
UP 08: Can Gravity show X-Faces?
Yes, turn them on or off with the checkbox in OPTIONS > DISPLAY

FAQs - Using Gravity

UP 09: Why can't I see articles that I have read?
You are probably using a display filter that shows only "Unread Articles." Switch the filter to something like "All Articles"
UP 10: How do I make the display filter stay the way I want?
You can "Lock" the current filter with the pushpin icon on the filter bar (or by menu, NEWSGROUP > LOCK FILTER). If you do not lock the filters or have a filter linked to a group, Gravity will change back to the default filter when you start up or switch groups.
UP 11: How do I sort articles in descending order?
Go to: Newsgroup > Define display filter. Edit the filter to sort descending. You are probably talking about the Unread Articles filter, but you can set any filter to sort ascending or descending.
UP 12: How do I format the date and time display?
See this page
Or, view or download PDF (to download, right click and save as..). This is also included in the HELP file.
UP 13: Can I set an ID Token or FQDN in the Message-ID?
No, not at this time.
UP 14: Can I set a munged (fake) e-mail address?
Yes. Go to SERVER > PROPERTIES > the SETUP tab. Gravity allows you to keep a valid e-mail address for e-mail (reply, forward), and use a fake address for Usenet posts as follows:
  • Enter a valid e-mail address in "Email address".
  • Enter the fake e-mail in "Reply address for posts".
  • Gravity will use the "Reply address" for Usenet and the valid address for e-mail only.
If you don't care about SMTP e-mail functions, put the fake address in "Email address". Either way you need to enter something for "Email address".
  • Gravity will complain if the e-mail address is not in expected internet format: something@xxx.xxx (you need the "@" and dot)
  • Note: Fake e-mail addresses should end with ".invalid"
  • Example: CaptainKirk@nospam.invalid
You can also set different identities for each group. See NEWSGROUP > PROPERTIES
UP 15: How can I add a custom header like X-No-Archive or an X-Face?
There are three places to enter any custom header like X-No-Archive:, or X-Face:
  • Menu: View > Global Options > Posting > Custom Headers. These are included in every post and follow-up, unless over-ridden.
  • Menu: Newsgroup > Properties > Overrides Tab. This overrides global options and sets properties specific to one news group.
  • In the posting Window: Click Advanced Fields. You can add the header for a single post.
  • In versions starting with 3.0 a custom header can be up to 998 bytes. In older versions you are limited to 256 bytes.
The format is "X-No-Archive: Yes" (include a space after the colon)
UP 16: Are Gravity's Regular Expressions case sensitive?
By default Gravity's PCREs are NOT case-sensitive. You can use the PCRE internal option (?-i) to enable/disable case sensitivity within your expression. See below.
# Using Case

(?-i:WTF)\?    # matches "WTF?" not "wtf?"
(?-i:T)om      # match "Tom" or "TOM"
(?-i)T(?i)om   # same thing (disable case after "T")
(?-i:TOM)      # match "TOM" but not "Tom" or "tom"
(?-i)TOM(?i)   # same thing
\b(?-i:TOM)    # better to use word boundary '\b'
               #   to not match words like "CUSTOMIZE"

#  Using (?-i) at the start of the PCRE
#  applies to the entire string

(?-i)\bWTF\?   # matches "WTF?" not "wtf?"

^(?-i)[A-Z ]+$ # match subject with only uppercase
               # letters or spaces

^(?-i)[^a-z]+$ # match subject with only upper case
               # letters, spaces, numbers, or punctuation
               # (no lower case letters)

#  Using (?-i) inside the expressions applies from
#  that point foreward unless disabled with (?i).
#  The following PCRE:

Four Score and Seven (?-i)Years Ago

#  matches either of these

   "Four Score and Seven Years Ago"
   "Four score and seven Years Ago"

#  does not match these

   "Four score and seven Years ago"
   "FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO"
UP 17: I know my PCRE is correct in my rule, why does it not work?
Edit your rule and be sure you checked the box to enter the string as a regular expression. Your rule condition should contain "reg. expr."
 Subject contains reg. expr. "\bgravity\b"
 Subject contains "\bgravity\b" (Wrong - no "reg. expr.")
If you are searching article bodies (or all headers) you may need to use the DOT_ALL option (see FAQ 05)
UP 18: Can I get more than 2000 articles when I subscribe to a group?
Yes, manually enter any number in the "Newsgroup > Subscribe" dialog, in "RETRIEVE LAST "XXX" ARTICLES"
UP 19: How do I get older articles, or all articles in a group?
Right click on the group (or go to the menu Newsgroup > Properties ), select PROPERTIES > GENERAL. The slider control indicates the highest read server article. Drag it to the left.
UP 20: Are there settings for the SPACEBAR behavior?
Yes, go to GLOBAL OPTIONS to the NAVIGATION tab. Change the settings for "Single Key Read" (note there are on-line and off-line settings). You probably want to select "View Next Unread Article"
UP 21: How do I make a "less than" lines rule condition?
Use the "NOT" operator to invert the logic like this: 

Not
Lines > 300
UP 22: Can I backup my Gravity Installation?
Beginning with Version 2.9 use EXPORT and IMPORT functions accessed from the TOOLS - DATABASES menu. You can backup and restore with a few mouse clicks. Gravity may seem to stop working when using these commands. Always wait for the process to finish. The old GravityBackup.exe program will not work with Version 2.9 and higher.
Note: The following applies ONLY to versions before 2.9. For versions up to and including 2.8, use the small utility application "GravityBackup.exe" located in the program folder. You can also use the utility to move an installation.
Gravity can NOT be running when using the backup utility. Also, the backup file MUST be restored to the same path and folder name.
The GravityBackup utility is the best way to back up, but, if you want to backup manually:
  1. Save all files in the Gravity install folder - "Program Files > Gravity" or wherever Gravity is installed.
  2. Export 2 branches of the registry to a file. HKEY_CURRENT_USER-Software-MicroPlanet and "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE-Software-MicroPlanet." Start Regedit, drill down to "MicroPlanet", right-click and choose Export.

FAQs - Binaries

UP 23: Does Gravity decode yEnc encoded binaries?
Yes. Gravity decodes yEnc but does NOT encode binaries in yEnc for POSTING.
UP 24: Is NZB or header compression supported?
No. There no plans at this time to implement either one, unless there is user demand.
UP 25: Can Gravity open multiple connections to the news server?
No, Gravity fetches binaries with a single connection.
UP 26: Why do I get an error mentioning Gallery?
Image Gallery (Gallery) was included in older versions of Gravity, but is not included in the open-source distribution because of source code issues. If you really want to try Gallery (it is a very old program and probably does not work after version 2.8), you can get it at the following link (unzip and place in the main Gravity directory).
http://gravity.tbates.org/download/
UP 27: I tried to see a binary, why do I only see funny characters?
You have to VIEW or DECODE the article.
UP 28: Where can I see the list of pending decode jobs?
Use IMAGE FACTORY (NOT Image Gallery). Factory also contains a small file manager that allows you to view, delete, or rename the decoded attachment(s)
UP 29: Why do I only see hour glasses - nothing is happening?
Decoding is Paused. Open Image Factory and click Resume (when the connection is restored).
UP 30: I decoded an attachment - where is it?
The default directory is set in "Global Options > Decoding" Note that you can also select the article(s), right click, and select a different directory with "Decode To ..."
In Versions 2.9 and higher Gravity data are in the USER Application Data folders, but you can still change the default decode directory in Global Options.
Older versions and Windows Vista: If User Account Control (UAC) is enabled (it is enabled by default), data written from user applications in "Program Files" (including Gravity's databases) will be written to the User File Store. You might have less headaches if you change the decoding directory, or install Gravity outside of Program Files.
UP 31: Can Gravity display Multi-Part Binaries as one article?
Yes, create a display filter and check the box to "Only Include Complete Binaries"
You can combine the complete binaries condition with other filter conditions. For attachments in many parts, it may also help to check the box to "Include Entire Thread if Any Article Matches Filter"
UP 32: How can I stop a download with many parts?
From the main application, use "STOP RETRIEVING." (the Stoplight icon). When you want to resume, you will have to go to IMAGE FACTORY and select "RESUME" (Gravity saves the parts already downloaded so you should not have to download them again)
UP 33: Can I set another viewer?
Yes, you have two options, both are set in the menu item "View - Global Options - Decoding" Either 1) Use Registry Association, or 2) Use an Alternate Viewer.
Do NOT select "Use Image Gallery to View Binaries," unless you have a copy. Gallery is not included in the open source distribution and probably does not work at all with Version 2.9 and up.
Some viewers may not work as expected.