#--------------------------------------
# The Slashdot headline grabber script.
#
# Written by Srijith.K 
# (http://www.srijith.net) (email : webmaster@srijith.net)
#
# Proxy support sample code provided by Michael Schmitz.
# 
# It would really boost me if you can drop me a mail in case you are using this script.
#
# Last Modified : 29/09/2000 (dd/mm/yyyy)
# Version 2.2
# License:GPL
#
#-------------------------------------- 

Summary : This script fetches the backend file from Slashdot server every 30 minutes
(default) and saves it locally. On request, the local file is read and healines printed
in a formatted manner.


Files included in package :
(1) README.txt    -- Read this file. For your own safety !
(2) slashdot.pl   -- The main file  (chmod it to 755)
(3) admin.pl      -- The admin file (chmod it to 755)
(4) slashdot.out  -- The local file (chmod it to 777)
(5) update.txt    -- The age file   (chmod it to 777)
(6) .passwd       -- The file that saves the username and password (chmod to 777)

Setup procedure :
(1) Unzip all the files to the required directory.
(2) Rename slashdot.pl to slashdot.cgi and admin.pl to admin.cgi if required.
(3) Chmod the slashdot.pl and admin.pl to 755, slashdot.out ".passwd" and update.txt to 777.
(4) Open slashdot.pl and admin.pl using any text editor and change variable values, IF REQUIRED.
(5) Please do not tax the slashdot server by fetching fresh files very frequently.
(6) Run admin.pl if you feel that the file fetched and stored has been corrupted. 
 (6.a) When run for the first time, key in the username and password that you want to use.
 (6.b) If you have used the admin script already, just enter the required credentials.
 (6.c) Then run slashdot.pl
 (6.d) In case you forget the username/password, just delete the value set to "username" and "password" in the .passwd and run admin.pl again
 (6.e) ".passwd" is so named because files with a .xxx doesnt show up on directory listing.
 (6.f) Passords are saved in crypted form.
(7) ENJOY !


#############
VERSION LOGS#
#############

Version 2.2
------------
1. Rewrite and restructuring of the scripts.
   - Made it more modular
   - More error checks in admin script
   - Decision to use same HTML template for all released and to be released news grabbers
   - Few bug eleminated. Surprising that no one brought it to my notice!
2. Decided not to include the copy of GPL license in the tar file.
3. Changed the script extension to .pl from .cgi due to my server setting change! :)
4. Corrected some errors in the comments included in the script.
5. Corresponding changes in README.txt

Version 2.12
------------
1. Hacked a bug in display of the HTML page. Looks like the XML document format was changed. Anyway script is working now.

Version 2.11
------------
1. Changed the script to use XML backendfile instead of urltramode.txt
2. Changed the HTML layout a bit..

Version 2.01
------------
1. Added password protection to the admin script.
2. Changed license to GPL.
3. Package changed to .tar.gz

Version 2.0
------------
1.Added support for periodic fetch.
2.Added human readable comments ;)
3.Added flexibility to decide which sections to print.
4.Added admin support.
5.Packaged in ZIP format.

Version 1.1
-----------
1.Some output formatting changes.

Version 1.0
-----------
1.The basic script. 
2.Fresh file fetched every time script runs ! (BAD).

