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Clarification: "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply"

Offline ruipedroca

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Clarification: "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply"
« on: May 17, 2008, 05:55:21 PM »
Hi,

I wrote this post because i understand that no email is complete without the "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply" feature.
I believe one of SME greatest benefits is it's out-of-the-box mail server + webmail Horde/IMP.
If one doesn't like using Horde, one can very easily install Roundcube, Egroupware an others; just following the simple instructions provided in wiki/contribs.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply" feature is not built into the web client (horde/roundcube/egroupware/others) but instead in the imap server, which, in case of SME Server, is Qmail.
The web clients just provide the "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply" feature if that's suported by (and configured in) the imap server AND also suported by the web client (i know it works in roundcube)

I know there's a way of setting a vacation reply through server-manager, but the real solution would be web client integration.
I've searched and read many posts before deciding posting this one and noticed that many of them have several years. Since them, many updates and contribs have been made.
So, in order to clarify things a litle bit, i was wondering if someone with the knowledge could shed some light into this matter, pointing every imaginable solution possible (script, editing files with vi, whatever...)

Thanks in advance!

Live and let die

Offline cactus

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Re: Clarification: "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply"
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2008, 06:10:46 PM »
Correct me if i'm wrong, but "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply" feature is not built into the web client (horde/roundcube/egroupware/others) but instead in the imap server, which, in case of SME Server, is Qmail.
The web clients just provide the "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply" feature if that's suported by (and configured in) the imap server AND also suported by the web client (i know it works in roundcube)
You are not wrong, but you are incomplete. My users do not use webmail and use there normal webclients, they can set their vacation message through the userpanel, as they, just as you do not want to live without it.

Besides of that the decision of sending vacation message should lay in the mailserver layer as that receives the mail, continuously, where the webmail scripts are only invoked when a user is logged in. I would not like to receive the vacation message when the user has returned again and is opening webmail. I want to receive the vacation message as soon as the mail server of the addressed person has received my mail.

Configuring a vacation message could go through any interface... ultimate goal would be to have a server that implements a method to set a vacation message from webmail as well as the mail clients, which points to the same vacation message. How to implement this is something very different. Webmail, through horde, is implemented in SME Server, so a method for setting a vacation message in there would be nice and easier to implement than supporting all kinds off mail clients setting a vacation message. I therefore like the solution of the userpanel/server-manager combination as users have one place of setting their vacation notice, all right they have to do some extra work as it is not in the webmail interface but they can set a vacation message.

BTW Horde has a package for the vacation messages: http://www.horde.org/vacation/ , perhaps you could request it as a NFR in the bug tracker and start working on integrating it with SME Server.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than its worth ~ Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

Offline ruipedroca

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Re: Clarification: "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply"
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2008, 06:37:55 PM »
Hi, cactus!

Thanks for your quick reply!

I see this matter is more complicated than it seems, but still, i'll give a try.
So i've created a NFR :http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=4349

Nevertheless, i wonder if there could be other solutions or even excentric ideas.
For example, would it be possible to create a simple web page/script in the company site (or other site in SME Server) so that users could log in and click in a button that allowed them to only create a simple out-of-office message?
I really wouldn't mind that users could use server-manager if all they could see was the link to set the out-of-office message.

Best regards!
Live and let die

Offline cactus

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Re: Clarification: "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply"
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2008, 06:43:50 PM »
Hi, cactus!

Thanks for your quick reply!

I see this matter is more complicated than it seems, but still, i'll give a try.
So i've created a NFR :http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=4349

Nevertheless, i wonder if there could be other solutions or even excentric ideas.
For example, would it be possible to create a simple web page/script in the company site (or other site in SME Server) so that users could log in and click in a button that allowed them to only create a simple out-of-office message?
I really wouldn't mind that users could use server-manager if all they could see was the link to set the out-of-office message.

Best regards!
Yes use the userpanel created by Dungog, they should be in SME Contribs:
http://www.dungog.net/wiki/Smeserver-usermanager
http://www.dungog.net/wiki/Smeserver-vacation
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than its worth ~ Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

Offline ruipedroca

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Re: Clarification: "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply"
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2008, 08:36:02 PM »
Hi, cactus!

Thank you!

Regards
Live and let die

Offline byte

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Re: Clarification: "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply"
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2008, 11:35:52 PM »
Moving this topic to the SME 7.x contribs forum, it is more appropriate there. Thanks!
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Have you filled in a Bug Report over @ http://bugs.contribs.org ? Please don't wait to be told this way you help us to help you/others - Thanks!

Offline ruipedroca

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Re: Clarification: "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply"
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2008, 02:28:02 AM »
Hi, cactus!

Yes use the userpanel created by Dungog, they should be in SME Contribs:
http://www.dungog.net/wiki/Smeserver-usermanager
http://www.dungog.net/wiki/Smeserver-vacation


Just in case someone might have the same doubt about this "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply" matter, i post this reply.
I've followed your advice and the conclusion i arrive is that you are 100% correct!
Not only this is the perfect solution for the "vacation/autoresponder/autoreply" necessity, but also this contribs allows much more, regarding setting user permissions!
It's very easy to configure and very easy to use!

After testing many OS servers, i look at SME Server as one of the very best!
Very good work from you guys!

Best regards!
Live and let die