# Group Filter

A group filter allows you to specify using simple expressions (see below) which groups you wish to retrieve from the server. Note that this does not speed up the group retrieval process, as WinVN must still retrieve each group from your new server, then compare the group with your filter. You might use a group filter, for example, to prevent offensive, or undesirable groups from being shown to you, or simply to reduce the size of your group list by filtering out "the junk".

You may install a group filter by modifying the WINVN.INI file.

In the [Group List] section:

EnableGroupFilter=1

GroupFilter=exp|exp|exp

If EnableGroupFilter=0, group filtering is disabled, and all news server groups will be retrieved. This is equivalent to setting GroupFilter=*

A GroupFilter expression is as follows:

'*' will match any string of characters.

'fun*' matches words beginning with 'fun'

'*ing' matches words ending in 'ing'

'*windows*' matches words containing 'windows'

'!' at the beginning of the expression negates it

Negated expressions should appear before non-negated expressions

Multiple expressions are separated by '|' (vertical bar character). Expressions are matched left-to-right, so more specific expressions should be listed in the GroupFilter before more general expressions.

WinVN compares each group during group-list retrieval with the expressions in the GroupFilter. Only groups which match the filter will be added to your group list.

Example group filters:

GroupFilter=comp.*|sci.*

Matches only groups in the comp and sci categories.

GroupFilter=!alt.tv*|!alt.stupidity|alt.*

Matches all groups in the alt category except the alt.tv groups, and alt.stupidity.

GroupFilter=!*sports*|!alt.fan.*|*

Ignores any groups containing the word 'sports', and groups in the alt.fan category. Note that if you did not include the trailing general '*' expression, this filter would match no groups, thus filtering all groups and leaving you with an empty group list.