yEnc History

yEnc Introduction -What is yEnc
yEnc Decoder -How to view files
yEnc Encoder -How to encode files

History of yEnc

yEnc is the name of the 8-bit encoding method created by Juergen Helbing and released to the public domain. The draft proposal for the yEnc encoding method was first released on 31-Jul-2001.

yEnc is currently at draft version 1.3, released on 05-Mar-2002. yEnc v1.3 is widely implemented and there are encoders and decoders for all major operating systems.

Traditionally, those who post to binary newsgroups are more technically savy, so they are quicker to adapt new technologies. yEnc saves the poster time and bandwidth in posting binaries due to its smaller size.

Those who download from newsgroups are faced with either adapting or missing out on the new binaries. Most adapt. The easiest way to adapt for most users is to update their favorite newsreader program to a version that supports yEnc.

yEnc Newsreaders:

Newsreaders that do support yEnc:

• Forte Agent
• S&H NewsRover

Major Newsreaders that do not support yEnc:

• Microsoft Outlook Express
• Microsoft Windows Mail
• Mozilla Thunderbird
• Netscape Mail
• Opera Mail

The divide:

Most commercial newsreaders do support yEnc because they make their money from customers, and customers want yEnc. Most commercial newsreaders are for advanced users, with an overwhelming number of features, whereas most of the major newsreaders are free and easy to use.

Major non-commercial applications with wide user bases probably do not support yEnc for one or more of the following reasons:

1. yEnc defies NNTP standards, and some developers support only official standards.
2. It would cost too much money to add yEnc capability and support it.
3. yEnc's technical failings may have caused the developers to decide against supporting yEnc.
4. The programs are no longer developed. yEnc was released fairly recently, and the programs were not updated.

yEnc Encoders.

yEnc encoders convert binary files into yEnc format so that you can post them on Usenet. The most typical form of yEnc encoder is an autoposter. An autoposter automates the process of posting messages to news groups. Your newsreader may have yEnc encoding built in.

The most popular yEnc compliant autoposter is yEnc PowerPost.

yEnc Decoders.

There are programs that bridge the gap for those whose newsreaders do not support yEnc. yEnc decoders convert the yEnc files so you can use them.

yProxy:

yProxy is the next generation of yEnc decoder. yProxy is a "yEnc Proxy". A proxy is a generic term for a communicaitons program that sits between two other programs and does some kind of work.

1. You get to keep using your favorite newsreader. yProxy automatically decodes the messages before the messages get to your newsreader, so ANY newsreader now magically supports yEnc.
2. You configure yProxy once and then just leave it running
3. yProxy includes additional features such as SSL for secure and private connections to your news server

yEnc32:

The first third party yEnc decoder was yEnc32. yEnc32 allows you to decode saved messages, though it requires user interaction. There are full instructions for using yEnc32 to manually decode your binary attachments for most of the major newsreaders at yEnc32's website.