Path: utzoo!utgpu!andrew.cmu.edu!tjh+atalk.errors
Date:	Fri, 2 Feb 90 11:44:29 EST
From:	demarsee@icarus.cns.syr.edu (Darryl E. Marsee)
Message-ID: <9002021644.AA25000@icarus.cns.syr.EDU>
To:	info-appletalk@andrew.cmu.edu
Subject: Re:  Mail for the mac and smtp
References: Msg from  cs.utexas.edu!usc!aero!louis@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu  
Newsgroups: list.info-appletalk
Distribution: ut
Approved: devnull@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu

>My point of view is that not everyone wants/can afford these 
>commercial systems. It would be nice if /usr/ucb/mail was rehosted
>to the Macintosh (with a mac like interface) and sendmail so that
>real RULES could be used. I know this may be easier said than done,
>but I thought I would bring it up.

 I'd like to put my vote in for Stanford's MacMH program, which
 uses a Unix system as a revised POP server.  We use it campus-wide
 here, and it works great.

 Advantages:  Matching client software also available for PC-type machines
              Mail connectivity is the same as that of the Unix host
              Mail can be read on the Unix host if the Mac is unavailable
              Mail arrives at POP server whether your Mac is up or not
              Doesn't require modifications to existing mail systems
              One multi-launchable copy on a server handles entire site
              Each user stores and creates his/her mail on own local disk
              Users can retrieve/read/create/reply to their mail from any
                    public Mac throughout the campus
              Great price (around $100 site license for universities)

 Disadvantages:  Requires Unix host, user account on same, and IP network
                 Depends upon Unix host for mail delivery/retrieval
                 Mac-to-Mac mail isn't direct; goes through Unix host
                 Requires Macs to connect to IP network (either directly
                          or through a Kinetics/Gatorbox gateway)

 We have found the disadvantages to be a minimal problem, since we already
 had an IP network, Unix hosts, and K-box-equipped LocalTalk networks in
 place.  Users like MacMH, since is doesn't require them to learn a
 "mainframeish" mail system to use "mainframeish" mail; even through
 a Unix account is required to access the POP server, the users never
 need sign on to it.

 Disclaimer:  I have no connections with Stanford University, other than
              being a very satisfied customer.
 
 Regards,

 Darryl E. Marsee
 <demarsee@icarus.cns.syr.edu> 
 Postmaster/Network Systems Programmer
 Syracuse University