[LINK] Mail server protocols

[Ivan Trundle]

Dear Linkers

A simple question: is there any mail server protocol that dictates what
information should be bounced back to senders of bulk (e-list) e-mails -
or even normal mail - in case of errors?

I am struggling with a few recalcitrant mail administrators who refuse
to divulge information about WHY a bulk-distributed e-mail might be
bounced, other than the domain name (big deal). 

Most sensible mail servers will respond with 'Mail not deliverable to
someone at somewhere.com.au because user's mailbox is over quota' or 'Mail
not deliverable: the mailbox, 'soomeone at somewhere.com.au', does not
exist or is no longer available'. Most ISP mail servers seem to be
pretty well-behaved and quite informative.

It's driving me batty that I sometimes get messages saying 'Your
message unable to be delivered' without saying to WHOM it was sent, or
only alluding to a user, and not even alluding to the why. Generally
Microsoft servers, but I'm not singling them out. I see it as a policy
issue, not a config issue.

I recognise that a level of anarchy exists in the set-up of mail
servers, and I can only assume that there is no hard and fast rule on
what messages should be returned to the sender in case of problems.

I'm just looking for support in convincing mail administrators to
divulge more information.

Warmly

Ivan Trundle


--
Ivan Trundle
Manager, communications and publishing
Australian Library and Information Assocation
PO Box 6335 Kingston 2604 Australia
ph 02 6215 8232 fx 02 6282 2249
ivan.trundle at alia.org.au http://alia.org.au