Database QWK Readers?

udhay asks: "Like many other slashdot readers, I got my start online through BBSes. I also have tons of old QWK packets from the old days. I occasionally get the urge to re-read those, but it gets tedious to do it one by one. I've been hunting for a database QWK reader that will consolidate all the QWK packets into one message base, for easy retrieval. I haven't been able to find any in lots of hunting on simtel and the like, though. I was wondering if any of the Slashdot readers would know of such an app? Windoze or Linux."

Comments

SkyReader

[WaldoJMU]

Skyreader might work for you: http://www.fix.no/skyreader/skyinfo.htm

Note that development has been discontinued, but it is released under the GPL. Versions are available for DOS4GW, OS/2, Win32, and Linux.

Wow...

[KnightStalker]

That takes me back.

I don't know of anything quite like what you're talking about, but the QWK file format can be found at faqsys. It shouldn't be to hard to write a Perl decoder. Or you might be able to snag source from another project (search freshmeat for QWK, there's a couple relevant projects).

Actually, here's a better one

[WaldoJMU]

This was the THIRD item listed in my google search for "qwk database". :) Google is your friend!

http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/47581.html

Re:Actually, here's a better one

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, I did this search and it's not the third item, it's the second. It's the third link provided in the results, but the second link is to the same site as the first, thus I consider it to be attached to the first item.

Obligatory BBS Ad.

[!Xabbu]

Sorry.. has to be done.. must.. keep.. scene... alive....

clockworkorangebbs.org

fidonet - adventurenet - micronet

TradeWars 2002 (5000 Sectors) - Legend Of The Red Dragon

telnet: clockworkorangebbs.org -http://clockworkorangebbs.org

DOSEMU-BBSDOORS-HOWTO: http://clockworkorangebbs.org/dosemu.html

Re:Obligatory BBS Ad.

[Anonymous Coward]

As long as we're advertising here ;> (And don't take that as a criticism..I wish there were more BBSes up now, including my own which disappeared offline again sometime last year).

http://synchro.net

Some of the best attempts to save the BBS experience are being made by Rob Swindell, shouldn't forget that :>

MR/2

[LordNimon]

I know you said Windows or Linux, but OS/2 users can try MR/2 Classic by Nick Knight. Nick doesn't work on MR/2 any more, but he is working on MR/2 ICE, a very powerful (but somewhat klunky) email/newsgroup reader for OS/2 and Windows.

Jeez Cliff...

[fm6]

Ask Slashdot is my favorite topic. Please don't turn it into a refuge for the clueless!

Re:Jeez Cliff...

[udhay]

Mea culpa, in terms of wording. Instead of 'not been able to find any', read 'not been able to find any sufficiently good ones'.

Speed reader

[arcade]

I remember I used a program called 'Speed Read' or 'Speed Reader', not exactly sure. You imported qwk-packets, and it stored it in its own format.

Great reader, payware, for DOS. :)

Robomail!

[JLester]

Robomail was the best QWK reader ever made. It was not free though, so not a lot of people used it. I still have it on my computer since I copy it over every time I update. There are lots of messages in my copy. It uses a relational database to store the messages and is VERY quick. It will definitely do what you want.

Some links:

• Robomail Evaluation
• Robomail 1/2
• Robomail 2/2

Jason

Re:Robomail!

[Chaostrophy]

I'm another happy Robomail user, it works well without the license key, your sig line is nagware, and I think there is a startup delay that is one seconded per day after the trial period.

I really liked reading my mail with a database, it ran great under OS/2 as well.