Simple Text Mail Setup

[Bill Moran]

In response to Ethan Furman <ethan at stoneleaf.us>:

> FT wrote:
> >>>>                     ...  But I can't send mail because the system
> >>>>isn't configured for that, and I'm in the dark as how to accomplish it.
> >>>>Is there somewhere that I can go for info on setting up a simple
> >>>>configuration which will let me send mail from Mutt?  ...
> >>
> >>Well, I have had sendmail enabled, but my outgoing mail gets
> >>bounced with a message saying that Comcast has blocked the process.
> > 
> > Yes. On most residential connections, Comcast blocks port 25 to reduce
> > the spam burden created by compromised hosts. Your options are not to 
> > send mail on port 25 (using port 587, for instance, but that makes you 
> > unable to communicate with many servers) or to buy business class 
> > service from Comcast, if they'll let you. You can try calling support
> > and asking to have 25 unblocked, but I have yet to hear of a case 
> > where that was effective.
> 
> As an aside, I recently had a similar problem being able to send e-mail 
> to my host (webgator.com) through Comcast's network -- a Comcast tech 
> suggested using port 26 instead of 25, and that worked for me.

That's exactly the kind of brain-dead answer I'd expect from Comcast.

The Internet community comes up with a solution, and publishes the
fact that port 587 is specifically _for_ this purpose, yet Comcast
suggests 26 ... go figure.

-- 
Bill Moran
http://www.potentialtech.com