There are a few defaults which make postfix configuration more complex than it 
needs to be.

/etc/sysconfig/network is missing hostname and domainname. Postfix wants those 
badly.

If you configure those, /etc does not match the chroot jail and you must put 
them back in sync to get postfix to run. Same goes for DNS - resolv.conf.

By default, the Mandrake installation listens on localhost. Arguably, that 
prevents a million misconfigured postfix installations live on the Internet. 
It also means postfix won't accept messages.

Procmail is added in the Mandrake configuration for local delivery. I am a 
procmail fan but it is unnecessary for a default configuration and 
complicates getting the syystem up and running. It would be better to leave 
that directive commented out.

I have mixed feelings about DJB but I like Maildir and courier. My preference 
would be to make those the default.

Webmin was confused about virtuals (virtual_maps vs. virtual_alias_maps). 
After configuring them by hand, it worked. Virtual_maps makes the simpler 
default and speeds configuration when you want to do virtual hosting and 
email.

Latest RAV installs trivially (untar, urpmi rav*).

Courier ran by default with no configuration.

With proper notes and defaults, postfix could be a half hour job instead of a 
day.

Jim Tarvid


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