[wp-docs] Codex page on outgoing email configurations?

[Andrew Nacin]

On Sun, Aug 29, 2010 at 4:05 AM, Otto <otto at ottodestruct.com> wrote:

> Yeah, I got nothing. Closest I can think of is
> function_reference/wp_mail, but nothing on the "why" of it.
>
> That whole thing needs a rethink, I think. Some of it is strange and
> doesn't work on a few hosts, although it is better than it used to be.
> Dunno. Maybe it should be a core plugin.


Many servers won't relay an email address that doesn't match its domain.
This seems to allow the widest number of setups. Some servers (Bluehost does
this, for example) actually require that the email address exists in their
system.

Other alternatives include omitting the From header entirely, which probably
doesn't work on the majority of setups but apparently works on some. (This
setup might also relay mail from anyone.) Beyond that, some servers won't
relay any email, so the user would have to use a plugin that configures
SMTP.

So it's a tough spot. I think the current situation isn't going to change
because it is a good balance. The plugin I wrote is *very* simple. It tests
wp_mail(), and then will offer a link to a Codex article (which I guess I'll
write) that will also link the user to other plugins such as WP Mail SMTP
that can enable it to work on their servers.

Nacin
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