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Q: I have received a file attached to an email message with a filename ending with .mime. What is this and how do I deal with it?
A: MIME stands for Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. A MIME file is a binary file that has been encoded into a text file for the purpose of transmitting it over the Internet email system. Internet email can handle text files only. So when a binary file is attached to an email message, that binary file is converted to text before being sent from the sender's computer. This process is known as "encoding", and usually occurs in the background where the sender does not see it, is not aware of it and does not even know the process exists.
When the email with the attached file is received by the intended recipient, the attached/encoded text file is converted back to its original binary form by the recipient's email program. This process of converting the file from text back to its original binary form is called "decoding." This process usually occurs in the background as the mail message and attachment are being retrieved by the recipient. The recipient generally is not aware of this decoding process, and doesn't really care so long as the received attached file is what is expected.
Q: Okay, I understand what I MIME file is now. However, my CS2000 program did not automatically decode it when I retrieved it. Why?
A: Because the MIME file actually contains more than one attachment. CS2000 has no problems with decoding a MIME file to a single binary file. However, if the sender sends you an email with more than one file attached to it, all files are encoded into a single text (MIME) file prior to transmission over the Internet. Most email programs have no problems with handling this. However, the CS2000 program can't. If there's more than one attachment encoded into the MIME file, CS2000 doesn't know how to handle it. So basically, it does nothing and makes no attempt to decode it, electing instead to deliver the raw encoded file to you.
Q: Okay, now I understand what a MIME file is and why CS2000 didn't decode the one I received. So what now? Can I decode it manually without having to obtain a degree in computer programming technology engineering to figure this out?
A: There are numerous programs out there that will let you decode such a file yourself. Most are fairly easy to use. But the learning process to use them can sometimes be cumbersome. So patience and a willingness to read the HELP selections in whatever program you use are an absolute must. There is one program we've found to be so easy to install and use, that HELP instructions are not included and are not necessary. Its called Decode Shell Extension. Using your CS2000 program or Internet browser program connect to http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Iain_Noble/Decode.htm and read/follow the information and instructions on that page.
Q: What is a binary file and how is it different from a text file or any other file for that matter?
A: Text files contain only ASCII characters. ASCII (which stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange) includes the upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation marks found on a U.S. English keyboard. ASCII also includes a few "white space" or invisible characters like a carriage return and tab. Text files can be viewed with any text ASCII (no formatting) editor; they do not require a particular program to view them. Text files are also referred to as 7-bit files, with each character being referred to as a 7-bit character. Binary files are files that contain information other than text and that are usually meant to be used by specific programs. Examples are spreadsheets, sound files, movie files, graphics, and word processing documents. Although word processing documents may look like they contain only text, they actually contain unseen formatting characters. Binary files are also referred to as 8-bit files, with each character (not necessarily a character such as a letter or number, though - rather a piece of information) referred to as an 8-bit character.
The basic building block for data in a computer is called a binary digit - bit for short. Binary means two - there can be only one of two values for each bit of data - one or zero. Bits are grouped together in sets of eight; that group of eight bits is called a byte. A character, such as the letter a or the comma, is stored as a byte. Again, that byte consists of 8 bits, each of which is either a one or a zero. For example, the capital letter A in binary code is 01000000. The comma is 00101100. Even though each character of data takes up a byte (eight bits) of space, ASCII characters actually use only the right-most seven bits to store their values. The first bit is always 0. That is why we refer to ASCII or text characters as being 7-bit. ASCII or text files are made up entirely of 7-bit characters. Anything other than ASCII characters uses all eight bits of its byte to store its value and is referred to as 8-bit. Files containing 8-bit characters are known as binary files.
Internet email was designed for text files only, which means that all messages that you send using Internet email must contain only text. Binary files can not be transferred via Internet email without some form of encoding to first change them to a text file. Today's Internet email programs do this automatically for you.
Q: I have downloaded a file with a filename ending with .mim and can't find it on my computer now. Where is it?
A: If you're using CS2000 its in the C:\CompuServe_2000\Download folder. If you're using WinCIM 2, CS2, CS3 or CS4 its in the C:\CSERVE\DOWNLOAD folder.
Q: I have obtained a decoder program and used it. It appears to have decoded the MIME file. However, when I go to view/use/run the MIME file, it's as if nothing has changed. What's up?
A: When you decode the MIME file, the decoded version is saved to your hard drive using the original filename given it by the sender/creator of the file. Sometimes the name of the MIME file will be the first word of the subject of the email, or the first 8 letters of the subject of the email, followed by the .mim extension on the filename. The name of the decoded file(s) will be the filenames given to them by the creator of the file prior to emailing it. For example, if you are sent a word processing document named MYFILE.DOC and a picture named MYPHOTO.JPG, and the subject of the email message they are attached to is, "Here are the files," the MIME file will be named HERE.MIM. When you decode it, that original MIME file is left untouched and unchanged. The decoded information is stored in the original filenames of MYFILE.DOC and MYPHOTO.JPG. So those are the file(s) you want to open, not the MIME file.
Generally, upon completion of the decoding process, if you read the screen and any information presented to you by your decoding program upon completion of the decoding process, it will tell you the name(s) of the decoded file(s) and their location on your hard drive.
Q: As a CS2000 user, can I use some other Internet mail program that will decode these files for me automatically so I don't have to deal with this manual stuff?
A: Yes. You can use any IMAP compatible internet mail program of your choice. There are a number of files located in the files section of the Email & Communications Forum on CompuServe that give specific instructions for setting up each program to access your CompuServe 2000 mailbox. One good file to read first is IMAPFAQ.TXT which is located in file library 12 of that forum. Additionally, setup instructions for a number of specific email programs can be found in the file library of the Email & Communications forum. If you can't find the instruction files yourself, just post a message in the messages section of the Email & Communications Forum stating what version of what Internet email program you have, and if there's an instruction file available for it, the folks there will point you to it.
Q: What is IMAP? What is POP3?
A: IMAP stands for Internet Mail Access Protocol. This is the protocol used by CS2000 accounts. This protocol allows for email message management on the server. POP3 stands for Post Office Protocol version 3. This is the protocol used by CompuServe classic accounts when using non-compuserve software to access their mailbox with. (Classic accounts are the numbered accounts that have been in existence since CompuServe's inception). This protocol allows for management of email messages on the sender's/recipient's computer; not on the server.
Q: I have a CS2000 account. When I connect and read my mail I see it there no problem. However, when I disconnect from CompuServe I no longer see my mail. Why?
A: The mail folders INBOX and SENT are not on your computer. Those two folders physically reside on the IMAP server. In order to view the contents of those folders you must be connected and logged into your mailbox.
Q: I wish to retrieve and view my messages off line (not connected to CompuServe or the Internet). How can I do this?
A: If you are using CS2000 you can set it up to automatically save all mail send and all mail read to your filing cabinet. To do this, click on the MAIL CENTER icon in the upper left of the CS2000 program and select MAIL PREFERENCES from the pull-down menu that appears. Then select SAVE IN THE PERSONAL FILING CABINET ALL MAIL SENT and SAVE IN THE PERSONAL FILING CABINET ALL MAIL READ. After you open mail to read it, it will automatically be copied to your filing cabinet. This DOES NOT delete it from the INBOX on the CompuServe IMAP server. It only puts a copy of it in your filing cabinet.
To access received and read mail in your filing cabinet while not connected to CompuServe, click the MAIL CENTER button in the upper left of your CS2000 program and select PERSONAL FILING CABINET from the pull-down menu that appears. This opens the filing cabinet and you can double-click on the folder you wish to view the contents of, to view it.
Q: This is cumbersome. I receive a large number of emails per day and I have to open each one individually with CS2000 in order to save them to my personal filing cabinet. Is there a way to just retrieve and save all emails to my personal filing cabinet in one swoop so I can then disconnect and read them offline?
A: Yes. If you are using the CS2000 program to retrieve your email, you need to use the CompuServe Scheduler. The CompuServe Scheduler is built in to the CS2000 program. You can set it up to go on line at your convenience (automatically or when you manually tell it to), retrieve your email, send your outgoing email and then disconnect from CompuServe.
Click the MAIL CENTER button in the upper left of the CS2000 program and select SETUP COMPUTER SCHEDULER from the pull-down menu that appears. Then just read and follow the menus presented to set it up. Once set up, to manually make the scheduler run click the MAIL CENTER button in the upper left of the CS2000 program and select RUN COMPUSERVE SCHEDULER NOW.
If you are using a 3rd party IMAP complaint mail program to read your CS2000 mailbox then check the HELP and documentation that came with the program. If you need additional help with this, post a message in the Email & Communications Forum telling us what version of what mail program you're using, and what specific and explicit assistance you need.
Q: I am trying to configure DUN to connect to the Internet through my CS2000 account. No matter what I do, I can't. What's the secret?
A: There is no secret. In order to connect to the Internet through your CS2000 dialup, you must first start your CS2000 program and connect to CompuServe. Basically, a CS2000 account when logged in *is* connected to the Internet, and just accesses the CS2000 content over that internet connection. Once connected, leave CS2000 running and connected. Then start any other Internet access program you desire and it will use that existing CS2000 connection. There is no other alternative way to automate this process. CS2000 uses the same phone numbers and network as AOL (America On Line) does utilising a connection scheme that is proprietary to AOL/CIS and utilises a connection method that is proprietary to AOL/CIS and does not use DUN, (Dial Up Networking). If CS2000 is your only Internet Access Provider, then establish your connection in this manner only. Again, there are no alternatives.
Q: What is DUN?
A: DUN is short for "Dial Up Networking". This is a program that is built-in to Windows 95 and up. This program allows you to configure your windows operating system to interact with a modem to establish a connection to the Internet using Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP). Then other programs on that operating system that need Internet access can use that connection to access the internet and fulfil their intended function. The network accessed by dialling a CS2000 or AOL dialup phone number does not utilise account login & authentication methods supported by DUN for connecting to the internet. It uses another login/authentication protocol that is proprietary to CIS/AOL. Therefore, DUN will not work with a CS2000 dialup account.