So I really couldn't decide which section of the forum where I would ask this question. But since I am assuming that you all are here because you are somewhat knowledgeable about forums, I would like toask you a question (although it might seem stupid to you ) So, my question is: First, what is the purpose of SMTP? Second, I have been told that I would need SMTP support for a forum that I have made. However, I have a host that doesn't have smtp and would like to know how I could incorporate it. Thank you very much!
SMTP in your forum case is for you to send out welcome messages to your new sign ups or for sending out password recovery info emails to members and also for members to communicate with each other using the email function. If you do not have SMTP function in the forum server, you can try to use an existing email SMTP you already help (provided that your forum supports this). This is normally authenticated SMTP so you will need the SMTP address, username and password.
SMTP is the base protocol used for sending email. Sometimes, software can be configured to use the server's native mail program to send email - on *nix boxes this might be sendmail or a replacement (like qmail.) Packages written in PHP often use their native libraries to send mail as an alternative to relying on the server's MTA. So you do not necessarily need an MTA installed and configured to be able to send mail. Was your host more specific about why "they do not SMTP"?
Thanks guys, I seem to have a grasp of what the function of SMTP.But I have another question. 1. My webhost is bluehost.com, and apprarently there is a SMTP limit of 50msgs/hr. But, assuming that I have more than 50 people registered on my forum, I would need a higher rate than that if I want to mass mail something, right? So what are some good mailing service hosts that provide SMTP? 2. Because I have only started on my forum, the bluehost's SMTP limit does not really apply to me yet. So, in order to set up my SMTP using phpBB, what would I need to do write for the server address (would it be bluehost.com, or mywebsite.com)? Thanks so much guys for helping a pal in need!
It depends on the individual host, some can be smtp.bluehost.com, others mail.bluehost.com, you need to doublecheck with their support. Also check if their SMTP is password authenticated or not, in which case, you need to get the password information from them.
So I just spoke to a customer representative who seemed to have confused me even more. So here is the "SMTP Settings" page on PHP3. Please tell me whether the setting seems to be right, and please point out the corrections that I have to make. Thank you! SMTP Setting: Use SMTP server for email: YES SMTP Server address: mail.mywebsite.com SMTP Server port: 26 Authentication method for SMTP: PLAIN SMTP Username:
Thanks much, the password has already been edited Ok, sorry to bother you guys with questions that might sound stupid, but I just can't get this figured out! Even after setting up the SMTP, when someone registers on my phpbb forum, the registration confirmation is sent out by my personal contact email address (myname@gmail.com) rather than from the domain itself (admin@mydomain.com) noted below. Any guesses as to why and what can I do about this? thank you much SMTP Setting: Use SMTP server for email: YES SMTP Server address: mail.mywebsite.com SMTP Server port: 26 Authentication method for SMTP: PLAIN SMTP Username: SMTP Password: password for