> > Do the unthinkable and RTFM from its beginning. ;)
>
> When you're looking for something so small and stupid as trying to
> figure out how to specify multiple IP addresses on a single line,
> RTFMing from the beginning is *huge* overkill. The manual is huge
> already, and trying to dredge up some small detail like that is an
> exersize in enourmous frustration.
Exim is a sophisticated tool that can do many, many great things for you.
It is worth to know what it can do and there is no other way than
reading the manual. The best time to do so is before you use it to
avoid frustration about trying to do things the wrong way. Having read
the manual and understood all concepts, Exim is a pleasure to configure,
because you know where to look for details. Few free software has such
great documentation.
But I am sure that it is a matter of personal taste if you like reading
the manual first, to know what some tool can do for you, or if you just
hack around, hoping to find the solution somehow. I hate Windows for
having made the latter so popular.
> Even the reference to "lists" is confusing. To me
> "127.0.0.1/32:146.45.32.0/24" is a line containing multiple IP
> addresses. A list to me looks like this:
>
> Eggs
> Milk
> Bread
> Newspaper
As I wrote, "127.0.0.1/32:146.45.32.0/24" is a list of IP ranges /encoded
in a string/. A list is the abstract data structure "a sequence of
elements" to me. If you encode a list in a line or in multiple lines or
however else is a matter of representation.
> Another idea is an "Exim quickstart howto" which defines a standard
> setup from beginning to end, incorporating anti-spam measures, and all
> the other things that are needed in a typical installation.
I think some introductionary words say which chapters to read for sure,
if you don't want to read everything.
If you like short manuals, you may want to check Qmail (
www.qmail.org).
It is quite easy to install as well and has no configuration language.
Instead it is completely table driven, but still a great MTA with
many features. I use qmail on small systems (small is a couple hundred
domains and a couple hundred to thousand users to me).
And after you have run it for a while and like more and more and more
features, you will most likely get back to Exim and read the entire manual
to learn which features are all available. ;)
Michael
PS: I know, it's off topic. I won't make it a habit.
