Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!rutgers!mit-eddie!bbn!oberon!sm.unisys.com!ucla-cs!corwyn.cognet.ucla.edu!casey
From: casey@corwyn.cognet.ucla.edu (Casey Leedom)
Newsgroups: comp.mail.sendmail
Subject: Re: Argh!
Keywords: Mail systems, Unix, Internet, USENET, complexity
Message-ID: <16368@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 30 Sep 88 06:52:52 GMT
References: <9810@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov>
Sender: news@CS.UCLA.EDU
Reply-To: casey@cs.ucla.edu (Casey Leedom)
Organization: UCLA
Lines: 50

In article <9810@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov> dave@jplopto.UUCP (Dave Hayes) writes:
> 
> HOW does one become conversant with the ways of sendmail, UUCP mail, and
> the general internet mailing system?!?  Mailing to others on the internet
> reliably seems to involve a system of enormous complexity that is
> completely un-documented.  Is there an overview that I can obtain that
> explains how mail works and why fully 75% of my messages to other sites
> on the internet bounce?

  Unfortunately there isn't.  And yes, it's an admittedly sad state of
affairs.  People are working on the problem, but it a complex one.  Some
of the complexity that you perceive in the current mail systems is
gratuitous and unnecessary, but much of it stems from the fact that it is
just a tough problem.

  Things like RFC822, the Domain System, the work of various OtherNet
organizations like USENET, and individuals like Rick Adams, Peter
Honeyman, etc. are helping the situation.  We're getting closer to the
time when simply mailing to user@host will work *for everyone*, not just
internet sites.

  Many sites already run 90% of this desired goal.  They've had the
benefit of *Mail Gurus*, either resident or contracted.  Someday when the
practices are well accepted the necessary software and configuration work
will be part of most manufacturers distributions.  Until then, you're at
the mercy of Mail Gurus.

> Is there a method of configuring sendmail to try these messages via other
> routes when it encounters a bounced message or a felled machine?  How the
> h**l does sendmail work?  How does MAIL work?  Is there a way to make the
> system simpler?  More reliable?  Where are the standards?  Why are all
> machines different?

  Much as I hate to offer this as the answer, you're best bet is to
either invest the work to become a Mail Guru (90% doable with a *very*
solid month's worth of work), or contract someone to set you system up
nicely.  It's very definitely possible to set systems up so that they run
very nicely in a stable mode (that is, not requiring endless and constant
tweaking).

  If you get someone good and are willing to pay for their time, they'll
sit down and show you what they're doing and why it works.  As a matter
of fact, that's probably a pretty good way to judge possible
contractors.  Ask them if they're willing to do that.  Be prepared to pay
for it though.  They'll charge the same per hour as they charge for
actual computer work.

  I hope this helps.

Casey