For Mac and Windows users, the Preferences file must reside in the same folder/directory as the MailBounce application. (Unix users can specify a path and even a different file name on the command line; refer to the Unix FAQ for more info on that one.)

Note that the name of the Preferences file is operating-system dependent:

    Mac (OS 8/9 and OS X):  "MailBounce Preferences"

    Windows (all versions): "MailBounce.ini"

    Unix (all platforms):   ".mailbounce.cf" (default)
      (this includes Mac OS X Darwin)

These names are fixed in code, and cannot be altered. All other filenames are configurable from the Preferences file -- but MailBounce must first be able to locate the Preferences file, so it is important that you do not change the name of the file. (Except for Unix versions, which allow you to optionally specify the name of the Preferences file on the command line.)

2. Preferences documentation files

There are three files describing the configuration of the Preferences file; they are geared toward different levels of familiarity with MailBounce, and deal with progressively more complex configuration issues:

Preferences Intro

Preferences Advanced: A description of the more advanced options in the Preferences file.

Preferences Expert: A complete summary of all Preferences file settings; some of these are very advanced, and should not be modified until you have familiarized yourself with MailBounce's operation.

Each successive file is a superset of the previous file; thus, expert users do not have to search among three different files in order to find documentation on specific settings, and newer users are not bogged down by complex configuration settings.

3. Preferences file structure

The following terminology will be used when describing the Preferences file:

keyword

parameter: This is the user-settable data that appears in apostrophes in each Preferences item.

Thus, for the statement ...

  list server type = 'ListProc'

... the keyword is "list server type", and the parameter is "ListProc".

There are several formatting requirements and options for the Preferences file:

Any line whose first printing (non-blank) character is a semicolon (";") is treated as a comment, and is ignored by MailBounce. Thus, both of these are comments:
```
; This is a comment line
          ; This is also a comment line
```
The first line in the Preferences file that is neither a comment line nor a blank (empty) line must be the "preferences version" line. For example:
```
  preferences version = '2.4'
```
Once MailBounce reaches an "end configuration" command, it stops processing the Preferences file. After that point in the file, all subsequent lines are ignored, regardless of their contents.
Between the "preferences version" record and the "end configuration" record, the Preferences items may appear in any order. In other words, you may arrange the lines between "preferences version" and "end configuration" to suit your personal taste.
Preferences lines may be duplicated. MailBounce will simply use the last one it encounters in the file.
Blank lines may be inserted at will.
On any valid preferences line, everything to the right of the rightmost apostrophe is considered a comment, and is ignored. (Ergo, you may not put apostrophes into comments!)

Note that only the registration information is CaSe SeNsiTivE. No other items are case sensitive. Note that case is preserved in "list name" and "password" parameters, and is also preserved in all file names.

4. Date stamps in file names:

You may optionally insert "yyyymmdd", "yymmdd", or "mmdd" anywhere in the name of any of the output files; prior to creating the file, MailBounce will replace these placeholders with the current date information. This can be very useful if you want to "date stamp" your files for archival purposes. So, for example, suppose you entered the following line in your Preferences file:

  diagnostics file name = 'MailBounce_Diagnostics_yyyymmdd.txt'

If you ran MailBounce on 03 August 1997, the diagnostics file would have the following file name: MailBounce_Diagnostics_19970803.txt

Note: The only output files that do not permit insertion of a date stamp are the bounce-tracking files. Changing the names of the bounce-tracking files will prevent MailBounce from automatically finding the files on the next processing run. (For that reason, it is recommended that you not change the names of the bounce-tracking files unless you are sure you have made the appropriate changes in the Preferences file, as well.)

5. MailBounce Setup Assistant:

There is now a Setup Assistant to help you configure and modify your Preferences. If you are new to MailBounce, it is recommended that you use the Setup Assistant rather than modify the Preferences file yourself. Of course, it is still a good idea to read through the Preferences documentation, as it will help you familiarize yourself with the various settings, options, and features.

Your Preferences Settings

You may select one of the following Preferences documentation files, based on your level of familiarity with MailBounce and the complexity of your configuration:

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