Hi,
I want to import some message areas into a group I have created.
I may be mistaken, but in older versions I could import them from the subs format. I do not see this as an import / export option any longer.
How would I convert a file I have in this format to another format that can be imported?
I would also like to mention that these groups will be part of a qwk network if this matters in any way.

Thanks,
Tom
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Re: Importing Message Areas
By: Tom Moore to All on Tue Apr 14 2026 12:52 pm

Hi,
I want to import some message areas into a group I have created.
I may be mistaken, but in older versions I could import them from the subs format. I do not see this as an import / export option any longer.

I removed the subs.txt file format import/export from SCFG recently. Since message areas are now (as of SBBS v3.20) stored natively in text format (ctrl/msgs.ini), the subs.txt file format was an unnecessary and ugly legacy.

How would I convert a file I have in this format to another format that can be imported?

You have a subs.txt file? Exported from where? I guess it could be converted or imported with some JavaScript (exec/importcfg.js might serve as an example), but if the source of the subs.txt was a Synchronet BBS v3.20 or later, then you could just copy the areas from the source BBS's msgs.ini file instead.

I would also like to mention that these groups will be part of a qwk network if this matters in any way.

Shouldn't make a difference.
--
digital man (rob)

Breaking Bad quote #1:
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Re: Importing Message Areas
By: Digital Man to Tom Moore on Tue Apr 14 2026 08:14 pm

How would I convert a file I have in this format to another format
that can be imported?

You have a subs.txt file? Exported from where? I guess it could be
converted or imported with some JavaScript (exec/importcfg.js
might serve as an example), but if the source of the subs.txt
was a Synchronet BBS v3.20 or later, then you could just copy the
areas from the source BBS's msgs.ini file instead.

That's too bad you took that out because it was a useful feature for running your own msgnetwork or joining one.


--
"Before using Wildcat....This Company did not have a convenient way of
looking after some of the richest clients in the world...Now we do!"


President of BBS Sysop's Union +++ https://bbses.info/union
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Re: Importing Message Areas
By: MRO to Digital Man on Wed Apr 15 2026 03:41 am

Re: Importing Message Areas
By: Digital Man to Tom Moore on Tue Apr 14 2026 08:14 pm

How would I convert a file I have in this format to another format that can be imported?

You have a subs.txt file? Exported from where? I guess it could be converted or imported with some JavaScript (exec/importcfg.js
might serve as an example), but if the source of the subs.txt
was a Synchronet BBS v3.20 or later, then you could just copy the
areas from the source BBS's msgs.ini file instead.

That's too bad you took that out because it was a useful feature for running your own msgnetwork or joining one.

I plan to add a .ini and/or .json import option, but there's already 7 other import formats, certainly one of them would work almost as well (?).
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet "Real Fact" #83:
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Re: Importing Message Areas
By: Digital Man to MRO on Wed Apr 15 2026 10:39 am

for running your own msgnetwork or joining one.

I plan to add a .ini and/or .json import option, but there's already
7 other import formats, certainly one of them would work almost
as well (?).

well with subs.txt format you could import the sub name, short name, internal code prefix, access requirements and other options.

you can't do that with the current formats that are left over, right?


--
"Before using Wildcat....This Company did not have a convenient way of
looking after some of the richest clients in the world...Now we do!"


President of BBS Sysop's Union +++ https://bbses.info/union
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Re: Importing Message Areas
By: MRO to Digital Man on Thu Apr 16 2026 02:20 am

Re: Importing Message Areas
By: Digital Man to MRO on Wed Apr 15 2026 10:39 am

for running your own msgnetwork or joining one.

I plan to add a .ini and/or .json import option, but there's already
7 other import formats, certainly one of them would work almost
as well (?).

well with subs.txt format you could import the sub name, short name, internal code prefix, access requirements and other options.

you can't do that with the current formats that are left over, right?

Nope, but you can by simply copy/pasting the msgs.ini entries (which don't have the same ordering and extensibility issues that the subs.txt entries did).
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet "Real Fact" #69:
Download the BBS Documentary DVD set at http://bbsdocumentary.com/order/
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