Sticking up for sendmail (Score 1)

I must admit that sendmail can be intimidating at first. When I first started doing UNIX administration, after feeling that NT was unfulfilling and looking for a better solution to some specific problems, I installed RedHat and gave it a try. The first thing I wanted to accomplish was to set up an email system. Since sendmail was there on the default install, that's what I learned. I looked on the web, did a little RTFM, and bought the 'bat book'. I was still frustrated and not getting much of anywhere. Then one day it happened. I don't know what triggered it, but it all became clear. It really ISN'T that hard. The only problem was that nobody explained it in any book or HOWTO with any clarity.

Before you throw up your hands and try something else, read this. I wrote this to clarify the concepts behind sendmail, and SMTP in general and to offer come canned configs for new users. If you use my HOWTO, you will be up and running in under 10 minutes, even if you are an MCSE. You don't have to be a 31337 UN1X DuD3 or anything to figure it out.

I have customers who run sendmail on very modest hardware that handle tens of thousands of messages per week for months on end with no attention required. I can do things that the other MTAs only wish they could do in their wettest dreams, even when installed on that old ProSignia sitting in the corner. Before you bash it, give it a try. If you still can't figure it out, send me an email.