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Mailservers

E

Endulini

Flightless Bird
Hi,

I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an old XP
system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting fed up of having
her email split between the two Vista machines so I was considering using
the XP system as a mail server, any suggestions about what would be a
decent, basic (doesn't need any fancy features) way to go? Would prefer
freeware but am happy to take a reasonable hit for the sake of peace.

Equally, is there another more elegant solution?

(BTW, I've both systems set up to download her mail but it seems a bit daft
keeping copies on both machines).

Cheers
 
M

MIG

Flightless Bird
Endulini skrev:
>
> Hi,
>
> I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an old XP
> system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting fed up of
> having her email split between the two Vista machines so I was
> considering using the XP system as a mail server, any suggestions about
> what would be a decent, basic (doesn't need any fancy features) way to
> go? Would prefer freeware but am happy to take a reasonable hit for the
> sake of peace.
>
> Equally, is there another more elegant solution?
>
> (BTW, I've both systems set up to download her mail but it seems a bit
> daft keeping copies on both machines).
>
> Cheers

Hi,

You just might want to try hmailserver. Free and easy to set up.

http://www.Hmailserver.com

Kindly
Mac
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Flightless Bird
Endulini wrote:
> I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an
> old XP system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting
> fed up of having her email split between the two Vista machines so
> I was considering using the XP system as a mail server, any
> suggestions about what would be a decent, basic (doesn't need any
> fancy features) way to go? Would prefer freeware but am happy to
> take a reasonable hit for the sake of peace.
> Equally, is there another more elegant solution?
>
> (BTW, I've both systems set up to download her mail but it seems a
> bit daft keeping copies on both machines).


Get a gmail account and leave the email on the server.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 
R

Russ SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]

Flightless Bird
If she's asking this because she wants to use her own email program like
Outlook
And if she's POP3 Like Shenan said
In the Advanced section of POP3 Check box "LEAVE" message on server.

However her outbox will be different on each machine
If you can you can switch to IMAP where your email is
Then you have the sync.

As far as what to do with that Extra PC
I'd suggest Making it a Windows Home Server for a good backup solution for
your PC's :)
Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
24hr SBS Remote Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Second IT Opinion http://www.personalitconsultant.com
Microsoft Online Services - http://www.microsoft-online-services.com


"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:emNTM47oKHA.5776@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Endulini wrote:
>> I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an
>> old XP system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting
>> fed up of having her email split between the two Vista machines so
>> I was considering using the XP system as a mail server, any
>> suggestions about what would be a decent, basic (doesn't need any
>> fancy features) way to go? Would prefer freeware but am happy to
>> take a reasonable hit for the sake of peace.
>> Equally, is there another more elegant solution?
>>
>> (BTW, I've both systems set up to download her mail but it seems a
>> bit daft keeping copies on both machines).

>
> Get a gmail account and leave the email on the server.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
 
B

Bernd

Flightless Bird
-------- Original-Nachricht --------

> Hi,
>
> I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an old XP
> system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting fed up of
> having her email split between the two Vista machines so I was
> considering using the XP system as a mail server, any suggestions about
> what would be a decent, basic (doesn't need any fancy features) way to
> go? Would prefer freeware but am happy to take a reasonable hit for the
> sake of peace.
>
> Equally, is there another more elegant solution?
>
> (BTW, I've both systems set up to download her mail but it seems a bit
> daft keeping copies on both machines).
>
> Cheers


Before discussing a solution you should explain your (wife's) real problem.

Are you talking about looking into one mailbox from more than one computer ?
Are you talking about looking into different mailboxes from more than
one computer ?

In both cases an own mailserver is just overkill.

Bernd
 
T

Tim Slattery

Flightless Bird
"Endulini" <Endulini@Fruit.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an old XP
>system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting fed up of having
>her email split between the two Vista machines so I was considering using
>the XP system as a mail server, any suggestions about what would be a
>decent, basic (doesn't need any fancy features) way to go? Would prefer
>freeware but am happy to take a reasonable hit for the sake of peace.


You might check out Mercury at
http://www.pmail.com/overviews/ovw_mercury.htm. It's free, and should
do what you need.

--
Tim Slattery
Slattery_T@bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 
H

HeyBub

Flightless Bird
Endulini wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an old
> XP system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting fed up
> of having her email split between the two Vista machines so I was
> considering using the XP system as a mail server, any suggestions
> about what would be a decent, basic (doesn't need any fancy features)
> way to go? Would prefer freeware but am happy to take a reasonable
> hit for the sake of peace.
> Equally, is there another more elegant solution?
>
> (BTW, I've both systems set up to download her mail but it seems a
> bit daft keeping copies on both machines).
>


Before doing all the work, check your relationship with your ISP. You may
not be allowed to run a mailserver on a dynamic IP.

For sure, various email admins clients will block any emails you generate.

The reason for these restrictions is the inordinate amount of spam that
emanates from casual email servers.
 
R

Russ SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]

Flightless Bird
Good point however
You can always use the ISP's SMTP Gateway
and if they block Port 25 you can send it out on another port
the only biggie is if they require a SSL connection for SMTP gateway
in which some of those solutions won't do.

I'd leave the POP3 on the server,
or Switch to IMAP
or Web based email totally
Even RPC over HTTPS if you know someone else with an Exchange server and you
are using Outlook.

I personally wouldn't build a Email server just for this...
Psst make that PC it into a Windows Home Server...
with 2 1.5TB drives :)
*You could even put that email program on that ;)

:)
Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
24hr SBS Remote Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Second IT Opinion http://www.personalitconsultant.com
Free Trial Microsoft Online Services (BPOS) -
http://www.microsoft-online-services.com


"HeyBub" <heybub@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eUqIv$EpKHA.4836@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Endulini wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an old
>> XP system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting fed up
>> of having her email split between the two Vista machines so I was
>> considering using the XP system as a mail server, any suggestions
>> about what would be a decent, basic (doesn't need any fancy features)
>> way to go? Would prefer freeware but am happy to take a reasonable
>> hit for the sake of peace.
>> Equally, is there another more elegant solution?
>>
>> (BTW, I've both systems set up to download her mail but it seems a
>> bit daft keeping copies on both machines).
>>

>
> Before doing all the work, check your relationship with your ISP. You may
> not be allowed to run a mailserver on a dynamic IP.
>
> For sure, various email admins clients will block any emails you generate.
>
> The reason for these restrictions is the inordinate amount of spam that
> emanates from casual email servers.
>
 
P

Patrick Keenan

Flightless Bird
"Endulini" <Endulini@Fruit.com> wrote in message
news:557ED23F-F143-4959-BBE6-3BF34CDBA855@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an old XP
> system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting fed up of
> having her email split between the two Vista machines so I was considering
> using the XP system as a mail server, any suggestions about what would be
> a decent, basic (doesn't need any fancy features) way to go? Would prefer
> freeware but am happy to take a reasonable hit for the sake of peace.
>
> Equally, is there another more elegant solution?
>
> (BTW, I've both systems set up to download her mail but it seems a bit
> daft keeping copies on both machines).
>
> Cheers


First, while there are inexpensive and reliable mail servers such as
MailTraq, you *must* read the terms of service for your internet service.
Many ISPs do not allow servers (especially mail servers, a frequent source
of spam) on residential accounts, and having your account blocked won't help
you.

The next problem is that you will have to at least set up a dynamic DNS
account for the mail server, because otherwise you won't be able to access
it from outside your network.

You should also consider that this arrangement guarantees a reduction in
mail performance when offsite. This is because most ISP services are not
symmetrical and when your wife accesses the mail from outside, she will have
to wait for the much slower upload speed from the mail server out to
wherever she is. You will soon be asked to fix this, and to do so, you'll
need to co-locate the server in a higher-rent area next to a backbone;
you'll still have to maintain the machine and software.

Overall, it will be hard for you to win with this approach. And I'll say
that if you want peace, you will almost certainly have to pay for it.

There are a couple of other approaches you might consider. One is just
switching to IMAP, the other is purchasing an account on an Exchange server.
The Exchange account will allow her to use a browser (via OWA) to check her
mail from virtually anywhere with reasonable security and the mailboxes will
look the same no matter where she is. You can go on vacation without a PC
and check mail from the hotel lobby, and the sent folders will be the same
when you get home.

Plus, somebody else will look after backing up the mail and maintaining the
server. You will just get a monthly bill, which can be under US$10/mo. I
don't want to recommend any specific company, so google "Hosted Exchange
Reseller".

For now, see if gmail set to IMAP works for you. That will be free.

HTH
-pk
 
W

Willard

Flightless Bird
Patrick Keenan wrote:
> "Endulini" <Endulini@Fruit.com> wrote in message
> news:557ED23F-F143-4959-BBE6-3BF34CDBA855@microsoft.com...
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I've a home network using a couple of Vista machines but have an old XP
>> system that I want to put to good use. The wife is getting fed up of
>> having her email split between the two Vista machines so I was considering
>> using the XP system as a mail server, any suggestions about what would be
>> a decent, basic (doesn't need any fancy features) way to go? Would prefer
>> freeware but am happy to take a reasonable hit for the sake of peace.
>>
>> Equally, is there another more elegant solution?
>>
>> (BTW, I've both systems set up to download her mail but it seems a bit
>> daft keeping copies on both machines).
>>
>> Cheers
>>

>
> First, while there are inexpensive and reliable mail servers such as
> MailTraq, you *must* read the terms of service for your internet service.
> Many ISPs do not allow servers (especially mail servers, a frequent source
> of spam) on residential accounts, and having your account blocked won't help
> you.
>
> The next problem is that you will have to at least set up a dynamic DNS
> account for the mail server, because otherwise you won't be able to access
> it from outside your network.
>
> You should also consider that this arrangement guarantees a reduction in
> mail performance when offsite. This is because most ISP services are not
> symmetrical and when your wife accesses the mail from outside, she will have
> to wait for the much slower upload speed from the mail server out to
> wherever she is. You will soon be asked to fix this, and to do so, you'll
> need to co-locate the server in a higher-rent area next to a backbone;
> you'll still have to maintain the machine and software.
>
> Overall, it will be hard for you to win with this approach. And I'll say
> that if you want peace, you will almost certainly have to pay for it.
>
> There are a couple of other approaches you might consider. One is just
> switching to IMAP, the other is purchasing an account on an Exchange server.
> The Exchange account will allow her to use a browser (via OWA) to check her
> mail from virtually anywhere with reasonable security and the mailboxes will
> look the same no matter where she is. You can go on vacation without a PC
> and check mail from the hotel lobby, and the sent folders will be the same
> when you get home.
>
> Plus, somebody else will look after backing up the mail and maintaining the
> server. You will just get a monthly bill, which can be under US$10/mo. I
> don't want to recommend any specific company, so google "Hosted Exchange
> Reseller".
>
> For now, see if gmail set to IMAP works for you. That will be free.
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
>

Is this -pk from Ashland Avenue??
-wm :)
 
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