Hallo mark!   
      
    ml> one can easily read and reply to messages in raw PKTs and have   
    ml> them appear in any areas they want simply by specifying the   
    ml> desired area in the AREA control line   
      
   I have done something similar to that in the past, except with the binary data   
   stripped out beforehand so that all that is left is the text data with ascii   
   control characters (eg null terminators).  However even then I left the AREA   
   control line alone.  As far as the raw pkts are concerned those are all   
   backups here and those are left intact, which includes the pktheader and the   
   binary parts of the msgheader(s) (first 14 bytes).  Perhaps that is what you   
   were thinking of?   
      
    ml> others to feed you the messages you would have missed from the   
    ml> dead link   
      
   Sounds like a plan.  That isn't what I am doing though since 2:280/464.113 is   
   independent and relies on 2:280/464 for all incoming messages as well as all   
   outgoing messages such as this reply I am typing as we speak.   
      
    ml> my understanding has been that you're basically using raw PKTs   
      
   Yes for backups as well as to create a purely text based messaging base(s) for   
   reading and replying to if needed, such as your message to me in the   
   ASIAN_LINK echoarea.  I do not crosspost but it would be very easy to do.  As   
   is, this reply will be posted in ASIAN_LINK which I assume is where you would   
   prefer it to be posted.   
      
    ml> i don't recall you ever stating what message base format you are   
    ml> using   
      
   Me neither.  Hopefully this reply will give you a rough idea.  The format is   
   purely text based with a few ascii control codes to seperate fields within a   
   message which is contained on a single line (no CR's).  Nice and simple.  Same   
   with replies and they will be converted into the packed message format and a   
   pktheader tacked on which together will make up a raw pkt.  So far it works   
   like a charm and makes an excellent basis for a offline messaging system which   
   is why I originally did it.  For sure it works great for single user point   
   systems.  For a multiuser system hpt would be a much better fit and I probably   
   will go back to that on the node ... eventually ... depending if there is a   
   need.   
      
   As for dupes, I do my best not to create them for the mostpart but have seen   
   many of them in the past coming from afar.   
      
   Het leven is goed,   
   Maurice   
      
   ... Do not cry for me Ik heb vi.   
   --- GNU bash, version 4.4.19(1)-release (x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu)   
    * Origin: Little Mikey's EuroPoint - Ladysmith BC, Canada (2:280/464.113)