The WordFrame Integra software needs often a way to communicate to the system users. Alerts are send to the webmaster. Notifications are needed for most of the applications. Even the account registration itself cannot verify the user's email without an operating email send mail server (SMTP server).
Currently, the post-install steps wizard is covering just the general scenario of setting up the mail server. As this functionality is really important, there is a need for some easy to get alternatives to be presented. Based on my experience, I decided to cover Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail and Rackspace mail, but you are welcome to add some more.
Further in the post we will review free or paid versions of the presented services and their limitations. This information could be outdated or not accurate, so to get the exact details, contact the service vendors.
1. Google Gmail
1.1. Email Send Rate Limit & Restrictions
In an effort to fight spam and prevent abuse, Google will temporarily disable your account if it exceeds or breaks the following rules and limitations:
- email recipients - you may only send a message to 100 people at a time.
- email size - outgoing messages can not exceed 10Mb per email (including attachments)
- email content - the emails should comply with the Google's email policy
- message count (not official) - 500 messages per day (i.e., you can hit 'Send' a maximum of 500 times).
- email count (not official) - 2000 total emails per day (e.g. one message to a group of 500 people sent four times)
- when you reach the limitations - Your email will be disabled. It will be automatically enabled within 24 hours after the limit was reached, though many say 24 to 48.
1.2. Integra SMTP server settings
Follow the steps from the post install wizard, and apply the following details:
- Server Name: smtp.gmail.com
- Port: 587
- Username: Your gmail email
- Password: Your gmail password
- Confirm password: type again you gmail password for confirmation
- Authentication: auto
- User secure connection: SSL (TLS)
N.B. Google will save a copy of all send emails in the "Sent" folder.
2. Yahoo email
You are able to send emails only with the paid version of the Yahoo mail ->Yahoo Mail Plus.
1.1. Email Send Rate Limit & Restrictions
Yahoo! encourages you to use our service as long as you abide by the Yahoo! Terms of Service and Yahoo!'s prohibition on spamming and unethical marketing activities:
- email recipients - no more than 100 people per hour
- email size - outgoing messages can not exceed 10Mb per email (including attachments)
- email content - the emails should comply with the Yahoo's email policy
- email count - no more than 100 emails per hour
- when you reach the limitations - currently I do not have the information how long Yahoo will apply restrictions on your mailbox, if you exceed the service limitations.
1.2. Integra SMTP server settings
Note: You also need to enable “Web & POP Access” on your Yahoo Mail account to send and receive Yahoo! Mail messages through any other email program.
Follow the steps from the post install wizard, and apply the following details:
- Server Name: smtp.mail.yahoo.com
- Port: 465
- Username: Your yahoo email
- Password: Your yahoo password
- Confirm password: type again you yahoo password for confirmation
- Authentication: auto
- User secure connection: SSL (TLS)
3. Hotmail
1.1. Email Send Rate Limit & Restrictions
The following restrictions apply when sending emails from a Hotmail account::
- email recipients - no more than 100 recipients per message
- email size - outgoing messages can not exceed 10Mb per email (including attachments)
- email content - the emails should comply with the Microsoft's anti-spam policy
- email count - no more than 300 emails per day
- when you reach the limitations - This will temporarily force some further much lower limitations.
1.2. Integra SMTP server settings
Follow the steps from the post install wizard, and apply the following details:
- Server Name: smtp.live.com
- Port: 587
- Username: Your gmail email
- Password: Your gmail password
- Confirm password: type again you gmail password for confirmation
- Authentication: auto
- User secure connection: SSL (TLS)
4. Rackspace email
1.1. Email Send Rate Limit & Restrictions
RackSpace.com has no strict email send rate limitations. However all outgoing messages must be compliant with the RackSpace Acceptable Use Policy and Bulk email policy. Rackspace may test and otherwise monitor your compliance with its requirements, and may block the transmission of e-mail that violates these provisions.
The only number I could get, was that customers may not send email of similar content to more than 250 recipients.
1.2. Integra SMTP server settings
Follow the steps from the post install wizard, and apply the following details:
- Server Name: secure.emailsrvr.com
- Port: 587
- Username: Your gmail email
- Password: Your gmail password
- Confirm password: type again you gmail password for confirmation
- Authentication: auto
- User secure connection: SSL (TLS)
5. Check your settings
After you type in and save all the details of the selected service, you can check its settings by following this wizard:
- While still on the SMTP settings screen, click on the test smtp server settings link
- In the popup type in an email address which you want to receive the test email
- Press the Send text email button
- If all is OK, you will see message "The test email was sent successfully"