>if this is so, then i think you have 
> answered my question: httrack's default behavior 
when 
> you remove all filters (built-in + custom) is to 
> exclude everything.   

Well, yes. The best way to ignore 'built-in' filters 
is to define -* as FIRST custom filter: this will 
reset (exclude everything) the filters state. Then, 
you can put +www.foo.com/bar/* and so on..