I propose a web-based service that takes a shot at guessing an smtp-server that is open for the particular network you are connecting from.
It would do a reverse lookup on the IP, , find the domain of the ISP you’re connecting from, and then try to ping mail.domain.com and smtp.domain.com and show me the best-bet smtp servers.
Perhaps a small java-based client app that did the same, and then
automatically tests whether the smtp server is open to relaying from your current machine would be even better. An app that runs on the Java MIDP profile so prevalent on smartphones and pda’s.
WHY?
Well, as some of you know already, I have a WiFi enabled Handheld computer. The one and only, wonderful Palm Tungsten C. And owning this handheld, wireless enabled device has shown me the usefullness of free, open wireless networks. Instead of having to bring out my 3 kg dell laptop, wait 3 minutes for it to boot, and then try to connect to a network that doesn’t exist, I can whip out my palm, and be on-line in a matter of seconds, rather than dozens of minutes.
I do it a lot. I check my mail, I update the weather forecast, and read up on my favourite blogs via blogstreets excellent rss2imap aggregation.
I have seen a small wink of a ubiwuitous future, and I like it. The only problem is that I can’t really send e-mail without knowing an smtp server that’s open for me. The palm seems to have some issues with POP authentication for SMTP, my server doesn’t run ESMTP, and I have little desire to set-up and monitor an open relay, even if it is on a non-standard port and completely obscure ip.
I could use the palm’s built-in PPTP VPN client, but some firewalls won’t pass-through PPTP, and besides, I want a generic solution to the problem, that I can use with my laptop, smartphone or any other device.
What say you?
I recently read somewhere (and I can’t remember where, which is truly annoying) that Mac OS X users can turn their machines into a relaying smtp-server which basically solves the problem. Not that it is any real help in your situation — I just wanted to mention it as it’s sort of related; maybe it’s possible to go along those lines…?
Yeah,
Since I run Linux on my laptop, I can always install and run an SMTP relay right there. I know many people who do that, although so far I’ve resisted simply out of security concerns, since I sometimes leave y laptop connected to a public network.
The problem is with my Palm-Pilot, and other pocket devices or handhelds. I doubt i’d want to run an smtp relay directly on the palm, although if someone came up with a free smtp server for that platform i’d consider it.
The problem is that i strongly believe that more and more people will connect to open, public hotspots using pocket devices. but for that to work, some of the inconveniences that occur in this type of connection (compared f.ex. to a GPRS connection via a cellular operator) need to be ealt with. And SMTP is (IMHO) one o the biggest of these issues.
Now that MIDP Java app is not a bad idea at all. Where did i leave that Java MIDP tutorial?
What you need is an SMTP server that supports AUTH so that it’s not an open relay and SSL so it’s secure. Then you can use it from anywhere. So now you have to go and pummel your home ISP into providing this. Or set it up yourself. Or find someone who will do host for you. While you’re at it, you need POP3 over SSL as well so you’re not spraying your pop3 password over WiFi in the clear.
For a nominal annual fee (US$15/a) you can get yourself a pobox ( http://www.pobox.com ) account, and they run an SASL SMTP server that you (as a pobox customer) can use from anywhere to relay your mail.
[Just an endorsement from a happy customer.]