Application Note #2
Creating Slides From Outlook Express News Files

Problem:

You are using Microsoft Outlook Express to download binary newsgroup postings with images. You would like to save a set of images and create an ImajSite slide set for them.

Solution:

Step 1: Download the messages with Outlook Express

If you don't know how to do this, read the Outlook Express documentation.

Step 2: Save the messages to a directory

Open a window to the directory you wish to store the images in. In Outlook Express, select the messages you wish to save. Then drag the selected messages from the Outlook Express window to the directory window you wish to store the images in. You should be familiar with basic Windows select, drag, and drop operations to perform this step.

Step 3: Create a build script in the directory

Right-click in the directory window and select "New" -> "ImajSite Build Script". This will create a "makeindx.bat" build script in the directory. You can also create the file manually, if you wish.

Step 4: Open an MS-DOS Prompt window

Open an MS-DOS Prompt window in the directory where you saved the messages. Make sure your current working directory is the directory where you saved the messages.

Step 5: Decode the messages

Enter the following command:

   msgdec /DIL *.nws

This will decode the messages into separate text (.txt) and image (.jpg / .gif) files. It will also delete the original message files (.nws) if successful.

Step 6: Build the directory

Invoke the directory's local build script by entering the following command:

   makeindx

Step 7: Format the news messages

This step is optional, but it makes the messages look nicer.