[Dovecot] how to "authenticate plain" ???

[Steffen Brunk]

Hello list,

my name is Steven and of course: I got a problem...
we are using dovecot 0.99 because it´s the actual stable version for 
RedHat 4 Enterprise.
I am trying to authenticate using "PLAIN" but I don´t know how.
that´s what I am doing:

telnet conny.MYDOMAIN.de 143
Trying IP.AD.RE.SS...
Connected to conny.MYDOMAIN.de.
Escape character is '^]'.
* OK dovecot ready.
a1 authenticate plain
+

a1 NO Authentication failed.


what do I have to send after receiving the "+"-symbol?

dovecot is waiting for something base64-encoded and I tried to give him 
by typing my username and pass and encrypted it here : 
http://www.php-einfach.de/base64_generator.php

But I don´t know the correct syntax and it drives me crazy....

thanks for ANY help


Steve

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