Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with linux and email

How do I shutdown my Linux PC by email?

Unhyper — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:48:16 -0800

On my Windows machine I used rules in Outlook to do various things such as shutdown my system remotely via email. I have switched to Linux (Mint 8) and would like to be able to do this with my new OS. Unfortunately I have not been able to find an email client that would enable me to execute an application/script/command based on a rule/filter. Thunderbird has filters, but only for sorting emails, not running commands. Any ideas?

Wait a minute Mr. Postman!

siclik — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:10:16 -0800

Why are some random automated messages suddenly not being delivered through our email server? We have a linux server over at The Planet running WHM/cPanel. We've never had issues with our email until recently. Two recent events have led me to believe that some emails are not getting through:

1.) An example email address on our troubled server is siclik@example.com. I have Ooma as my personal VoIP provider and have yet to receive a voice mail notification email (or password reminder email) at siclik@example.com. When I use siclik@hotmail.com, notifications arrive immediately. I've triple checked that I've entered my email address correctly.

2.) Our accountant told me just today that he's not receiving end-of-the-day automated credit card batch confirmations through his accountant@example.com email address.

Our server is running SpamAssassin, however I've added both Ooma and the credit card company to the spam filter's white list, so emails should be going through, right?

Anyone have experience with this and willing to share some knowledge?

Anyone with experiance in making MS Exchange work with SpamAssassin without having a Linux Box on hand?

TrueVox — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:39:07 -0800

I work at a small company with an Exchange server. We need OK spam protection. In an effort to move them to a more FOSS workcycle, I'm advocating SpamAssassin. Basically, I need it to work in our Windows Environment. We currently run NO Linux boxes, and while we're not at all against virtualization (in fact I'm pushing for us to get a copy of VMWare Workstation for our beefy new server), it needs to be simple. I tried downloading the Embeded version of Damn Small Linux, but it is a pain to get it so it can save (as near as I can tell), so that's a no go. Any other ideas? I'd run it on Windows but the walk through confuses me (even the easy one). Again, I'm not against Linux, but it has to be easy (preferably drop in). Has anyone used Spam Vigilante? Is it simple (and by simple, I mean assume I'm an idiot :D)? Oh, and does it work with Exchange (I don't see it mentioned but maybe I'm blind)?

Ok, thanks a lot in advance! I really appricate your feedback!

How can I set up Bugzilla to receive bugs via email?

Deathalicious — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:46:51 -0800

How can I set up Bugzilla 3.0 to receive bugs via email? Yeah, I know, email_in.pl. But how. That is, how can I invoke email_in.pl -- how can I set it up so that something is actually being piped (or whatever) to email_in.pl whenever a message is sent to the correct bugzilla address? I assume I need to set up an MTA; how can I do this? I've scoured google and can't find any information on how to get the MTA set up, or even if Bugzilla is already set up to listen on a certain address, or anything. The documentation that comes with Bugzilla assumes that you somehow magically know how to pipe the email to Bugzilla. This is exactly what I don't know.

I'm running on a RedHat Linux box, and have root access so I can install whatever MTA runs your fancy.

If anyone out there has actually set this up, I desire your config files or whatever.

Incidentally, this work is for a very nice, friendly, and inoffensive non-profit organization in support of the arts. So your help is not going towards the promotion of evil or wanton profits, in case you have an issue with that.

And to forstall any derails: yeah, I know XXX is a much better project management tool, but I did my research and for what we need Bugzilla is what we have to go with. The email in feature seems really great and was a major selling (metaphorically speaking) point, but until I get it working Bugzilla is dead in the water. Thanks for your help.
PS: Yeah, I know perhaps this might be better posted to a specific forum, but I trust the answers of MeFites more. Furthermore, I figure if this hasn't been answered on those forums yet it's not likely that I'll have any luck. I'm hoping a MeFite has done this setup before and is feeling generous.
PPS: This is your chance for fame. As far as I can gather, a lot of people want to set this up but there is no actual information out there. If you can post something good, this page will be where everyone gets their setup information! Your chance to win Nobel Prize is assured!

Sending mail from Linux to Exchange

tommasz — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 06:29:12 -0800

I have a Linux box (Ubuntu Edgy) that I would like to be able to send mail to an Exchange server. It also needs to send/receive locally. Which MTA will actually allow me to do this and are directions for configuring it available? I've found lots of vague references but very little "program X will do this and here's how" kind of stuff.

Help! Where is my mail gone?

salmacis — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 07:14:16 -0800

Help! Where has my mail gone? I was running Mandriva, and I decided to change to Ubuntu (for a variety of reasons, don't ask). I have my /home partition seperate, so I can keep all my settings. After installation, I restarted KMail, and there's no sign of my old mail. I know the mail is there - I can open a terminal and see it in ~/.Mail. All the subfolders are there as well, even though they aren't seen in KMail either. How do I tell KMail that it's there? I've scoured all the options and I'm not seeing it.

Automated emailing of .ics appointments

blacksky — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 01:02:55 -0800

I have a .ics (iCal) calendar file hosted on webdav on a linux server. I need a script to run on the server as a cron job and email me any upcoming appointments. Does anyone know of such a thing?

What software to use for managing temporary email addresses on a linux server?

splice — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 08:12:19 -0800

Help me find mail software or filters to manage temporary email addresses on my linux server. A long time ago, I came accross some software that would manage temporary email addresses, but my bookmark didn't survive long. I do not remember if it was a set of filters or patches, but I do not think it was a standalone software. It would allow you to create temporary email addresses, of a format like emailaddress+hash@domain (like, splice+DEADBEEF@mydomain.com or something similar), where the hash would be some way of identifying the characteristics of the temporary email; when it was created, how long it lives, etc. Perhaps there was even a web interface to create these accounts, including stats as to how often they're used, etc.

I am aware of free online services that allow you to create temporary mail accounts, but that's not what I'm looking for. I run my own linux server, which serves web pages for a few domains, mail, etc. My mail server runs under exim4, but I also have experience with postfix. I currently just use aliases for temporary accounts, but management can be bothersome. I seem to recall the software was a pretty complete solution, and I'd love to just create a temporary address for 2 weeks to associate with, say, an ad I'd post on usenet, and have it die quietly after the period. This would also allow me to collect stats as to how my address gets around and who's sharing it.

Does anyone have an idea what kind of software would do this for me? Please hope me!

How do I set up a Linux server to receive and store email?

cillit bang — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 18:18:06 -0800

How do I set up a Linux server to receive and store email? (+) I have root access to a server and I want to receive email for my domain and access it via IMAP. This seems obvious enough but every tutorial I've come across assumes you have at least part of it already working and is about changing part of your setup.

I know how email travels through the network fine, but within Linux I am at a loss as to exactly what each piece of software does and how they talk to each other and so forth. And before that, currently mail just bounces. I can't even find the switch in Postfix to turn on receiving mail.

This is on Redhat 7.3. Even getting the thing to forward mail would be nice. Thanks.