Hi Nigel,
Thank you for your reply dated Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:23:01 +0000.
> The main documentation is the specification. This is reference
> level documentation. There is a sold need for tutorial
> documentation - this is addressed by the exim books - see
> - http://uit.co.uk/content/exim-smtp-mail-server
> - http://uit.co.uk/content/exim-example
I am aware of their existence, have read the except, but have been
unable to judge the usefulness of the expensive book.
When people want solutions and information they initially consult
material on the Internet. Having vital(?) facts available not on the net
but in a book which the enquiring person can not readily determine would
be a good buy (one reviewer called it ''dry'') and which, if purchased,
will incur a delay of days is hardly ideal when one needs information
now. By the way I know its your site selling the book.
Far better methinks to have all the information on the net and all the
information in one place not sprinkled around in 3 official places -
documentation, wiki and new users.
> There is also the main problem that everyone thinks they can run
> their own mail server. Frankly they are wrong.
People's needs, interests and abilities vary considerably. It would be
unfair to condemn those we have no knowledge of. I've been running a
mail server for 40 domains since about 1998. Now I've partially changed
to Exim. I think its better and it offers a superior service. I'm never
slow to recognise a good product.
> Email used to be a major function which was implemented by people who
> had some idea of the RFCs and what *should* be done. Now everyone with
> a workstation thinks they can run their own email system - documentation
> is not structured for the requirements of the truely ignorant (and
> possibly it should not be).
Exim's on-line documentation is certainly not structured well for
newcomers to Exim even if they possess Mensa IQs.
People who are ''ignorant'' may not be thick, stupid and possess an IQ
under 100. So-called ignorant people just don't know. That is why they
are ignorant. Having excellent reference and teach yourself material
on-line is a splendid way two edukate dem ignurint peepull abbut Exim.
Why stop people learning about computer things and educating themselves
? Isn't that attitude rather selfish ?
> > [....] The Exim web site also needs a facelift
> > and should abandon the ancient technique of frames. Put the choices at
> > the top of the page and have CSS menus.
> Please implement a replacement. I don't have time - and frankly no
> inclination since it just means that people spend their time
> sniping - the current content is available in the CVS repository.
> Put up or shut up.
I will try to detach myself away from other things and in a month or
two, depending on the election situation, I will put-up a replacement
for the current front pages and post the link for peer review.
> [Its probably worth pointing out that there are basically no people
> volunteering to do any work. I no longer have any time, nor do I
> have any other contact with email systems so I don't have any
> impetus to work on it, so I am not scheduling any further time on
> exim work. "Constructive" criticism without any actual input is
> frankly of no use whatsoever ]
Well here is some really constructive criticism: Why not place an
advertisement on Exim's front page stating volunteers are wanted to do
various tasks ??? Don't forget telepathy doesn't work for everyone so
people need to know by other means such as text on a web page.
Regards,
Paul.
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