[svlug] Configuring an MTA (was Re: Internet Cables Cut -- Two Articles)

[Mark Weisler]

On Thursday 07 February 2008 16:43:49 Daniel Gimpelevich wrote:
> On Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:46:43 -0800, Mark S Bilk wrote:
> > They have since re-routed to older, slower lines and satellites, but
> > overall internet service is slow and in some cases -- particularly Iran,
> > there is no internet service whatsoever.
>
> IME, Iran is where they have the worst-configured *nix MTAs in the world.
> It seems an OK practice over there to send autoresponses to anyone even
> slightly suspected of spamming, and then repeat those autoresponses over
> and over for an entire week. With that level of system administration
> incompetence, is it any wonder G.W. seems so hell-bent on making attempts
> to become the Paul Reiber of the US Gov't?
>
> At one of the recent SF-LUG meetings, the correct response to "How do I
> configure sendmail/postfix/exim to properly route e-mail amongst machines
> on a LAN behind NAT, and still properly gateway that mail to and from the
> Internet?" ended up having to be "Just don't!" because of the endless
> possible issues involved. The idea that scriptkiddie-ism should not be
> limited to e-mischief and should be extended to all forms of good system
> maintenance is basically the entire appeal of distros like Ubuntu and
> PCLinuxOS. I think that with time, there will be greater and greater call
> to satisfy the need for such a well-meaning form of scriptkiddie-ism.
> Would anybody like to start the ball rolling on creating an
> install-and-deploy MTA setup for such LAN use?
I think this MTA setup is a good idea. That's why, in preparation for the last 
governance meeting, I suggested...

"As an example of what volunteers can do as a project that would develop 
technical skills and be an offering for other LUGs, we could put together a 
LUG-in-a-box kit: This would be a computer designed to facilitate forming a 
LUG. It would have it in: mail, dns, website, etc.
   People interested in forming a LUG will have the systems
   component of a LUG in an hour(well, maybe two). A team could put this
   together and offer it to the Linux community."

Seems there are lots of LUGs that have trouble getting mail to work and resort 
to using "outside" services. The LUG-in-a-box might remedy that. (I know 
there is a lot to mail administration but I still think it could be 
structured so that more LUGs could take this on with their volunteers.)

> It would go far to 
> demonstrate the viability of the non-reliance on hosted services
> championed by many, including Richard Stallman and Rick Moen. What say you
> all?
>
>
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-- 
Mark Weisler 
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