--On 24 January 2010 04:41:32 +0000 exim@??? wrote:
>
> Hallo,
>
> I've been a new user for 3 months and discovered one of the most
> negative things about Exim is the documentation.
That's odd. For me, Exim is simply the best documented piece of software
I've ever seen. The documentation isn't a beginners guide or a tutorial,
it's a reference manual. Having said that, reading the chapter on the
default configuration is very useful.
The Exim book is well worth reading, it is more tutorial in outlook. Before
he retires, Phil Hazel used to run excellent Exim tutorial workshops which
didn't even assume a knowledge of email protocols.
The documentation is thoroughly updated with every release of the software,
and it's available in a variety of formats. I prefer the PDF since it lives
on my desktop, and is easier to search.
I agree with your comments below, that the web site requires revision.
> Writing as a computer programmer with 43 years experience (yes I know
> I'm going to die probably in the next 10 years - its not a nice reality)
> Exim documentation is unhelpful and I am surprised no one seems to have
> successfully tackled the issue.
>
> Exim appears to be a good product but the documentation appears to have
> been written by its author who has contributed substantial amounts of
> hard and dedicated thinking with lots of good logic. The author is too
> close to Exim to contemplate the realities and requirements of
> enthusiastic users like me.
>
> The problem with Exim documentation is one can't easily implement one's
> own ideas because of the structure and content of the documentation.
> Often one is left wondering how the hell do I do that?
>
> Exim documentation needs to be re-organised and presented in a more
> logical and organised fashion. 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.
>
> The revised and improved version of Exim documentation should follow the
> sequence of the configuration file.
>
> Each new chapter should begin, like a school text book, with a chunk of
> the configuration file and several examples. No one, including me,
> should ever have to contemplate reading through masses and masses of
> Exim details we think we need only to disappointingly discover the
> crucial bit is missing. Its a bit like Wagner in classical music where a
> good climax never ever happens.
>
> Remember how a good Algebra book shows the formula and explains the
> concept? That is how Exim documentation could be.
>
> My criticism is no criticism of Exim's author. He has devoted a
> considerable amount of his critical thought process designing and
> implementing a good product (well I like it otherwise I wouldn't bother
> moaning about the state of the documentation).
>
> Instead of having documentation that always omits the detailed point one
> is searching for (I've configured a basic set-up without reading the
> documentation) ALL the information - documentation, tips and examples -
> must be in the same place. Having 3 places - documentation, beginners
> and Wiki - is bonkers. There is only one Exim and that one Exim is the
> best place for all the available documentation and tips. Using the
> wonders of hypertext links Exim documentation can have an abundance of
> helpful sub-pages inundated with crystal clear examples galore.
>
> I want to re-use a badly spammed email address, last active 6 years ago.
> One of my chosen tests to stop junk mail is rejecting incoming emails
> from any host name containing
>
> *-*-*-* : *dynamic* : *static* : etc .................
>
> However I can't get it to work even though I can reject or defer mail
> from host names ending in very distant country codes (e.g. *vn). Real
> mail servers don't have 3 dashes (hyphens) in their host name but many
> home connections do.
>
> Exim documentation should be written by users and the author together.
> Users should also have the facility to add examples themselves.
> Obviously the core documentation must remain unchanged. The author
> knows better than everyone how Exim works and what can be done. Users
> have less intimate knowledge BUT they have real requirements: the
> implementation of which should feature in the documentation as one of
> many examples. Something similar happens with the PHP documentation
> which I find very useful.
>
> Exim is good. So good the security services appear to use it (claims
> Cable & Wireless) and so does the police's PNN delivery system even
> though C&W have not bothered to make the host names identical to the
> HELO / EHLO names.
>
> Constructive comments and criticisms welcome.
>
> Paul.
--
Ian Eiloart
IT Services, University of Sussex
01273-873148 x3148
For new support requests, see
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/help/
