Mailservers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Endulini
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Endulini

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
 
Endulini said:
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).
Click to expand...

Get a gmail account and leave the email on the server.
 
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
 
-------- 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
Click to expand...

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
 
Endulini said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

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.
 
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
 
Endulini said:
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
Click to expand...

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
 
Patrick said:
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
Click to expand...
Is this -pk from Ashland Avenue??
-wm :)
 
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