1. What is alt.binaries.multimeda.roswell?
2. Where can I find a copy of the charter?
3. What is a .xxx file and how do I use it?
4. How do I view messages that are in multiple parts?
   1. Outlook Express
   2. Free Agent
   3. AOL
5. Why am i missing parts of the files?
6. How can I post?
   1. How do I make repost requests?
   2. How do I fill repost requests?
7. How can I combine the 4 or 5 parts of an episode into one?
8. Spoilers

1.0   What is alt.binaries.multimedia.roswell?

alt.binaries.multimedia.roswell is a forum for the posting of files related to "Roswell", AKA "Roswell High", a sci-fi/drama television show. Examples of files posted are: pictures, audio clips, video clips, and other binary files related to "Roswell". New episodes are usually posted within a few days of airing.

alt.binaries.multimedia.roswell is not for discussion of the show, please direct all discussion to alt.tv.roswell.

The group was created on October 30, 2000 by Muffle.

2.0   Where can I find a copy of the group charter?

A copy of the alt.binaries.multimedia.roswell charter can be found at

3.0   What is a .xxx file and how do I use it?

Movies: .MPG, .ASF, .AVI, .MOV, .RM
Sounds: .WAV, .MP3/.MP2, .RM/.RA

Most of these can be played by

4.0   How do I view messages that are in multiple parts?

It depends on your newsreader, please read the help files for your newsreader before asking for help. Instructions are provided here for two common newsreaders: Outlook Express (included with Windows) and Free Agent.

1. Download all the message parts in advance (Optional, but if don't and you lose your connection before it finishes you'll have to start over).
2. Right click on any of the parts and select Decode Binary Attachments. (Launch Binary Attachment will do the same thing, and then launch the file immediately).
3. A copy of the decoded movie file has also been placed in the AGENT folder, or hit enter to launch it.

If you're using AOL and have problems with a file, you have to save them as text, and then use another program outside of AOL to convert it. It's fairly complicated, so if you are a computer novice you may be out of luck. Try posting in the aol.newsgroups.help group if you need more help.


1. Obtain the program WinCode, this link should work: http://telacommunications.com/nutshell/wincode.zip (266K). If not, do a search for "wincode" in any search engine and you should find it easily. WinZip can also be used for this. The rest of these instructions are for Wincode.
2. Open the first email message.
3. Copy and Paste the entire contents of the message into a new Windows WordPad file (or any text editor which allows large amounts of text). Note: Windows Notepad will not permit the number of characters necessary.
   
   Don't Panic, Wincode is designed to ignore header information and it's generally more reliable if you paste everything in the message.) If you received the file as a series of messages, open them one at a time and Copy and Paste each of them, in their entirety, one just below the other into one Windows WordPad file. If you received the file in the body of just one long message, it may be necessary to Copy and Paste a portion of the contents at a time - depending on the amount of text the Windows Clipboard will hold at one time.
4. Save the file with whatever name you care to give it, but with a ".UUE" extension. In the "Save File As Type" dialog box (at the bottom of the Save Menu), choose "Text Files .TXT".
5. Open Wincode and click on the File Menu. Select "Decode". A dialog box will be presented which displays your entire directory structure.
6. Locate and select the file you just created with the .UUE extension and click OK. Your file will automatically be decoded, and renamed with it's appropriate filename.

5.0   Why am I missing parts of the files?

One of two things is happening. Either there was a problem with the post or your server isn't very good at handling binaries. If you consistently get incomplete posts it's most likely your server. You have 3 options:

1) Get a new ISP.
2) Try alternate means
3) Subscribe to a commercial news server. Here's a partial list:

• http://www.easynews.com/
• http://www.supernews.com/
• http://www.airnews.net/
• http://www.giganews.com/
• http://www.newscene.com/

6.0   How can I post?

If you are posting a large file you need to configure your newsreader to split the file into smaller parts. Again, this depends on your newsreader. Keep the message parts below 7500 lines/500 kb for the best propagation of your post.

It's recommended that you try

6.1   How do I make repost requests?

There are sometimes organized posting projects going on in the group which have specific guidelines as to how to properly ask for a repost. ALWAYS read any 00 file or readme file that goes with a post before you reply anything to it.

In general, use the format "ATTN: (poster's name) - Please repost parts X,Y,Z of (exact filename)". If there's too much info to put in the subject, "ATTN: (poster's name)" with all the relevant info in the message body.

It is always a good idea to include the missing message parts of any files you need fills for. Many newsreaders will give you a list of exactly which pieces are missing, so it's only a matter of cut and paste. If you have multiple newsfeeds and still can't get a complete file, it's useful to mention this as well. In general, please wait at least 24 hours before you make a repost request to give the files time to propagate.

Please also bear in mind that the people who post to the newsgroup are in no way obligated to fill your requests. If you receive no reply to your request, politely repost the request. Getting angry at the poster will result in you being added to their killfile.

6.2   How do I fill repost requests?

Again, be mindful of any repost rules that go along with postings. We're trying to keep a lid on the total traffic of the group. Not to discourage people from being helpful, but be aware of the situation. Try to do individual message fills instead of full reposts when possible. Don't repost the same thing over and over for one person on a crappy server.

If you are filling a request, it's also a good idea to reply to the request to let everyone know you're filling it, so we don't get multiple posts of the same thing.

7.0   How can I combine the 4 or 5 parts of an episode into one?

There's several different approaches to solve this:

• Use appropriate editing software (M2-Edit for MPG, RealProducer for RM) for that file type to literally combine them.
• Create a playlist that will play the right files in succession. For RealPlayer just put the names in a text file and name it .RAM, for Windows Media Player you need to create an .ASX file, which is sometimes posted along with the episode.

8.0   Spoilers

A spoiler is any information pertaining to an episode that has not aired in the USA, or has only aired within the previous week. This includes the promos at the end of the episodes. Putting a spoiler in a subject header is a very big no-no. And there really is no reason to be saying spoilers in here in the first place, this is not a place to discuss the show. If you *must* say a spoiler, do so in the message body with the word spoilers in the header. Also, please do not reply to any spoiler message, as this only increases the number of people that might see it. Spoiling gets you immediately killfiled by most of the posters in this newsgroup.

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