[BUGS] Request for comment on email sorting

[harrywwc]

Hi Jerahmy,

> The existing setup seemed to be designed for about 2 users.. Rather  
> than the 12+ users actually there.. I guess who ever did it originally  
> didn't think it would grow..
ah, so it *did* grow like topsy ;')
> 
> On 02/02/2008, at 9:00 AM, harrywwc wrote:
> 
>> 1 - register domain name
>> 2 - link domain name to ip address
> 
> Did that, all out going mail appears to come from that domain, most  
> people also get their mail from those accounts, but there are a few  
> that for what ever reason currently have forwards and various hackery  
> I'v put in place as they are very reluctant (read: angry mob) to  
> change anything.. Mostly because they are comfortable with what they  
> have and are terrified of anything new..
> 
yes, the old "I will do it this way that nearly kills me because it is 
familiar, rather than move to something that will make my life easier, 
because that involves 'change'" response.

This needs the management to state "no more, it *must* be done 'this 
way'" - whatever 'this way' turns out to be.

> 
>> 3 - put in mail server (such as scalix)
>> 3a - put MX record in dns of domain name register
> 
> I'v been considering this, the main reason I haven't is that the  
> directors have 4GB "managed exchange" accounts with their service  
> provider which includes a web interface that has all the same features  
> as outlook. Unless I could provide something similar they may not be  
> too happy with the idea..

this is *fantastic*! The managers use the managed exchange accounts (I 
ass/u/me that is "Microsoft Exchange Server"). Build on this. Talk with 
the ISP, see if the business, for a small incremental cost, can put 
another 10 (?) users on it. In the end, this will make *your* life a 
whole heap easier if someone else is managing the mail <huuuuge grin>

> 
> 
>> 4 - use fetchmail to keep getting 'old' mail
>> 5 - get management to 'enforce' use of 'new' mail for all future
>> communications
>> 6 - eventually stop using fetchmail and close 'old' accounts
> 
> That sounds like a good migration path, I'm just not sure they would  
> ever migrate =p
> 

Management needs to drive this. Having the mail scattered across who 
knows how many different systems is just "not good business". They need 
to centralise this *business critical* infrastructure.

> I think I might try dovecot and mirror their mail on the server, then  
> when they get used to it I could drop their pop access and use  
> fetchmail to keep the mail updated..
> 
> I'v never used scalix, how good is it really? Would lookout users feel  
> like they were using an exchange server?
>

check scalix.com, short answer is "yes", but to be honest, I would be 
pushing the managers to go with the managed exchange accounts, and 
*make* everyone move across. You can assist (and ask here, we can help 
on a case-by-case basis)

reg's,

.h

-- 

harry [at] woodward-clarke [dot] com
imago Dei in quolibet homine' inveniartur