Hi DM,

On my BBS, while doing some testing, I tried setting my newscan pointers for all sub-boards to the current date & time (in the stock shell, this would be from the main menu, & for "Message scan config" and then P for "Set new-scan pointers").

Then in JS, I checked the value of scan_ptr in the msg_area.grp_list.sub_list array for the sub-board. I thought the value of that scan_ptr value might be the last message (since I had just set my scan pointers to the current date & time), but it seems the value of that scan_ptr could be less than that.

The documentation for scan_ptr says this:
User's current new message scan pointer (highest-read message number)

When the documentation says "new message scan pointer", it sounds like what it means is the user's last read message? Or should it be what the user has set by doing a newscan pointer configuration?

If that scan_ptr is the user's last read message, is there another variable in the Synchronet JS object model that represents the message number in the sub-board as configured in the user's newscan configuration?

Nightfox

---
■ Synchronet ■ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Nightfox to Digital Man on Sat Apr 27 2024 07:49 pm

> Hi DM,
>
> On my BBS, while doing some testing, I tried setting my newscan pointers for
> all sub-boards to the current date & time (in the stock shell, this would be
> from the main menu, & for "Message scan config" and then P for "Set new-scan
> pointers").
>
> Then in JS, I checked the value of scan_ptr in the
> msg_area.grp_list.sub_list array for the sub-board. I thought the value of
> that scan_ptr value might be the last message (since I had just set my scan
> pointers to the current date & time), but it seems the value of that
> scan_ptr could be less than that.

If there's something odd going on with the import date/time of messages (i.e. there's a message with an import date/time *later* than the "current date & time"), then the pointer could point to an earlier (not the last) message.

> The documentation for scan_ptr says this:
> User's current new message scan pointer (highest-read message number)
>
> When the documentation says "new message scan pointer", it sounds like what
> it means is the user's last read message?

Not necessarily. If the user goes back and reads some older/earlier message, that doesn't necessarily change their new-scan pointer.

> Or should it be what the user has
> set by doing a newscan pointer configuration?

It's either. The new-scan pointer will be updated *either* be reading messages or by manually chaning the scan pointers.

> If that scan_ptr is the user's last read message, is there another variable
> in the Synchronet JS object model that represents the message number in the
> sub-board as configured in the user's newscan configuration?

'scan_ptr' is the message number that represents their highest read message number. Any messages with a higher number (higher than the scan_ptr value) will be considered "new".
--
digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #1:
Nigel Tufnel: These go to eleven.
Norco, CA WX: 59.7°F, 68.0% humidity, 0 mph WSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Sat Apr 27 2024 08:34 pm

DM> 'scan_ptr' is the message number that represents their highest read
DM> message number. Any messages with a higher number (higher than the
DM> scan_ptr value) will be considered "new".

So, the test that I did was this:
I first created a new (temporary) user account. I logged in with that user account and then set the scan pointer for all sub-boards to the current date & time. I did a newscan using the stock Synchronet reader, and it scanned all sub-boards and said there were no new messages (which I think was expected, since I had set the newscan poniters to the current date & time). I then did a newscan with my DDMsgReader (which uses scan_ptr), and it started at the first sub-board and showed the first message in that sub-board. If scan_ptr is the user's highest read message number, I think that makes sense. But I'm wondering if there's anything in JS that points to the user's configured newscan pointer instead?

Nightfox

---
■ Synchronet ■ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Nightfox to Digital Man on Sat Apr 27 2024 10:35 pm

> Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
> By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Sat Apr 27 2024 08:34 pm
>
> DM> 'scan_ptr' is the message number that represents their highest read
> DM> message number. Any messages with a higher number (higher than the
> DM> scan_ptr value) will be considered "new".
>
> So, the test that I did was this:
> I first created a new (temporary) user account. I logged in with that user
> account and then set the scan pointer for all sub-boards to the current date
> & time. I did a newscan using the stock Synchronet reader, and it scanned
> all sub-boards and said there were no new messages (which I think was
> expected, since I had set the newscan poniters to the current date & time).
> I then did a newscan with my DDMsgReader (which uses scan_ptr), and it
> started at the first sub-board and showed the first message in that
> sub-board. If scan_ptr is the user's highest read message number, I think
> that makes sense. But I'm wondering if there's anything in JS that points
> to the user's configured newscan pointer instead?

The "highest read message number" and "newscan ponter" are the same thing.
There is a "last read message" number (the "last_read" property of msg_area.sub[]), that's not the same thing.

I'll experiment here and be sure that msg_area.sub[].scan_ptr is behaving as expected, but I'm pretty sure other script authors (e.g. echicken) are using it successfully.
--
digital man (rob)

Rush quote #74:
A modern-day warrior mean, mean stride, today's Tom Sawyer, mean, mean pride
Norco, CA WX: 55.8°F, 69.0% humidity, 1 mph WNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Sat Apr 27 2024 11:07 pm

> I'll experiment here and be sure that msg_area.sub[].scan_ptr is behaving as
> expected, but I'm pretty sure other script authors (e.g. echicken) are using
> it successfully.

So just did some testing here, and it seems to be working as expected.

I used ;eval msg_area.sub["test"].scan_ptr to display the value of the scan
pointer for my "test" sub. When I update the scan pointer using either &p or by reading that sub, the JS representation changed accordingly. It seems to be working correctly.
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #11:
C64 = Commodore 64 (personal computer)
Norco, CA WX: 55.8°F, 69.0% humidity, 1 mph WNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Sat Apr 27 2024 11:11 pm

>> I'll experiment here and be sure that msg_area.sub[].scan_ptr is behaving
>> as expected, but I'm pretty sure other script authors (e.g. echicken) are
>> using it successfully.

DM> So just did some testing here, and it seems to be working as expected.

DM> I used ;eval msg_area.sub["test"].scan_ptr to display the value of the
DM> scan pointer for my "test" sub. When I update the scan pointer using
DM> either &p or by reading that sub, the JS representation changed
DM> accordingly. It seems to be working correctly.

hmm... I'll have to see what's going on with my script then.

Nightfox

---
■ Synchronet ■ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

-=> Digital Man wrote to Nightfox <=-

DM> 'scan_ptr' is the message number that represents their highest read
DM> message number. Any messages with a higher number (higher than the
DM> scan_ptr value) will be considered "new". --

I think Nightfox is referring to an issue I brought up. I loaded
DDMsgreader on my board and all of the newscan pointers were set to 1 -
when I did a newscan of all boards it started with the first message on
some of the boards. On those boards I manually read the last message by
entering the message number.

I tried using the QWK "set newscan pointers" option to a current date
(yesterday) and the newscan was still starting from #1 on some of the
areas that I hadn't already manually reset.

I put DDMsgreader back on a few days ago, and manually reset any of the
areas that reset to #1. I pulled a couple of QWK packets over the past
few days, and when I did a newscan, 2 of the DOVE echoes newscan
pointers were set to message number 1.

I'm not ruling out an issue on my end - could this be a message board
corruption issue?

--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
� Synchronet � .: realitycheckbbs.org :: scientia potentia est :.

Hello poindexter,

On Sun, Apr 28 2024 21:15:00 +0000, you wrote:

pF> I put DDMsgreader back on a few days ago, and manually reset any of the
pF> areas that reset to #1. I pulled a couple of QWK packets over the past
pF> few days, and when I did a newscan, 2 of the DOVE echoes newscan
pF> pointers were set to message number 1.

pF> I'm not ruling out an issue on my end - could this be a message board
pF> corruption issue?

I brought this up to Nightfox a couple months ago and he told me he had noticed it in the past, but couldn't reproduce the issue.

Sometimes, even after doing a complete newscan and logging off, then calling back the next day the last message you read the day before will be the first message you read when doing another newscan.

It became impossible for me to describe it any clearer, so I figured I'd just wait it out until he was able to see the issue again for himself.

You can always try chksmb and/or fixsmb on your sub-boards too see if there's anything wrong with them, just in case.

Regards,
Nick

.... Take my advice, I don't use it anyway.
--- slrn/pre1.0.4-9 (Linux)
* Origin: _thePharcyde distribution system (Wisconsin) (723:1/1)
� Synchronet � _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin)

Re: Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Digital Man on Sun Apr 28 2024 09:15 am

> I'm not ruling out an issue on my end - could this be a message board
> corruption issue?

I don't think so. The issue doesn't happen when using the built-in message scan/reading functions, I'm inclined to believe there's just an issue with DDMsgReader.
--
digital man (rob)

Rush quote #13:
Cast in this unlikely role, ill-equipped to act, with insufficient tact
Norco, CA WX: 73.6°F, 44.0% humidity, 4 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Accession to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun Apr 28 2024 02:19 pm

> You can always try chksmb and/or fixsmb on your sub-boards too see if
> there's anything wrong with them, just in case.

I don't see any likely relation between the scan ptrs and any msgbase corruption.

User's msg-scan config and ptrs are stored in data/user/*.subs, so that's where I'd look while trying to diagnose this problem.
--
digital man (rob)

Sling Blade quote #3:
Karl (re: killing Doyle): That second one just plum near cut his head in two.
Norco, CA WX: 73.3°F, 43.0% humidity, 3 mph WSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Accession to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun Apr 28 2024 02:19 pm

Ac> I brought this up to Nightfox a couple months ago and he told me he had
Ac> noticed it in the past, but couldn't reproduce the issue.

It's not that I can't reproduce it - I do see it sometimes. It's just not reliably reproducible. If it happens to me again then it may be easier for me to debug it and see what the issue is.

Ac> It became impossible for me to describe it any clearer, so I figured I'd
Ac> just wait it out until he was able to see the issue again for himself.

I think I understand the issue. :)

Nightfox

---
■ Synchronet ■ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Digital Man to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun Apr 28 2024 01:48 pm

DM> I don't think so. The issue doesn't happen when using the built-in message
DM> scan/reading functions, I'm inclined to believe there's just an issue with
DM> DDMsgReader.

I did notice that it seems after changing your newscan pointer configuration, the user may have to log off and back on again for it to take effect.

Nightfox

---
■ Synchronet ■ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Digital Man to Accession on Sun Apr 28 2024 01:53 pm

DM> User's msg-scan config and ptrs are stored in data/user/*.subs, so that's
DM> where I'd look while trying to diagnose this problem.

Should a message reader be reading the user's scan pointer directly from that file? I wasn't aware of those files until just recently. I've always been using scan_ptr from msg_area.grp_list.sub_list

Nightfox

---
■ Synchronet ■ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Nightfox to Digital Man on Mon Apr 29 2024 10:44 am

> Re: Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
> By: Digital Man to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun Apr 28 2024 01:48 pm
>
> DM> I don't think so. The issue doesn't happen when using the built-in
> DM> message scan/reading functions, I'm inclined to believe there's just an
> DM> issue with DDMsgReader.
>
> I did notice that it seems after changing your newscan pointer
> configuration, the user may have to log off and back on again for it to take
> effect.

I don't think so. A user changing new-scan pointers is just changing the in-memory values (the *.subs files aren't changed until user log-off or the &W command is issued), the same in-memory values that are underpinning the "scan_ptr" JS properties.
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet "Real Fact" #122:
Synchronet v2.30a (DOS & OS/2) was released on 5-30-97, 20 months after v2.20b
Norco, CA WX: 74.8°F, 46.0% humidity, 5 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Nightfox to Digital Man on Mon Apr 29 2024 10:46 am

> Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
> By: Digital Man to Accession on Sun Apr 28 2024 01:53 pm
>
> DM> User's msg-scan config and ptrs are stored in data/user/*.subs, so
> DM> that's where I'd look while trying to diagnose this problem.
>
> Should a message reader be reading the user's scan pointer directly from
> that file?

No.

> I wasn't aware of those files until just recently. I've always
> been using scan_ptr from msg_area.grp_list.sub_list

That's the correct way. I was just mentioning the .subs files because it might be helpful to diagnose exactly what's happening, but like I said in the previous post, the .subs files arne't updated until user log-off or the &W command is issued.
--
digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #16:
David St. Hubbins: I believe virtually everything I read...
Norco, CA WX: 74.8°F, 46.0% humidity, 5 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: Re: msg_area.grp_list.sub_list scan_ptr
By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Mon Apr 29 2024 12:45 pm

>> I did notice that it seems after changing your newscan pointer
>> configuration, the user may have to log off and back on again for it to
>> take effect.

DM> I don't think so. A user changing new-scan pointers is just changing the
DM> in-memory values (the *.subs files aren't changed until user log-off or
DM> the &W command is issued), the same in-memory values that are underpinning
DM> the "scan_ptr" JS properties.

It makes sense that you shouldn't have to log off and back on again. I'm not sure what happened with that test I was doing..

Nightfox

---
■ Synchronet ■ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com