--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/docs/various/qref-mta.txt	Wed Oct 22 17:17:19 2008 +0200
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+http://qref.sourceforge.net/Debian/reference/reference.en.txt
+
+9.6.1. Mail transport agents (MTAs)
+-----------------------------------
+
+     For a full-featured MTA, use `exim' in Woody and use `exim4' in Sarge.
+     [1] References:
+        * `exim-doc' and `exim-doc-html' packages for `exim'
+        * `exim4-doc-info' and `exim4-doc-html' packages for `exim4'
+        * http://www.exim.org/
+     The only reasonable alternative MTA is `postfix' if you care about
+     security.  `sendmail' and `qmail' are available as Debian packages but
+     are not recommended.
+
+     If you do not need the relay capability of an MTA as in the case of a
+     satellite system such as a laptop PC, you may consider using one of
+     these lightweight packages:
+        * `ssmtp': needs an SMTP connection and is alias-capable, or
+        * `nullmailer': can spool but is not alias-capable.
+     At this moment, I find `exim' to be more suitable even for my personal
+     workstation machine, which is a laptop PC.
+
+     You may need to remove `exim' for the installation of these
+     conflicting packages:
+
+          # dpkg -P --force-depends exim
+          # apt-get install nullmailer         # or ssmtp
+
+[1]  Following sections use `exim' in examples.  For Sarge replace this
+     with `exim4' as needed.
+
+9.6.1.1. Smarthost
+------------------
+
+     If you are running `exim4' or `exim' on a host which is connected
+     through the consumer grade services, please make sure to send outgoing
+     mail through a smarthost offered by your ISP or some others.  [1]
+     There are few good reasons:
+        * to ensure SMTP retries since your ISP's smarthost usually have
+          more reliably connection.
+        * to avoid sending mail directly from a _dynamic IP address_ which
+          will likely be blocked by dial-up spam lists.
+        * to save your local bandwidth to send mails with multiple
+          recipients.
+
+     The only conceivable exceptions are:
+        * the emergency cure for your ISP's SMTP service trouble.
+        * an experiment for the educational purpose.
+        * your host being a professionally hosted server.
+
+[1]  You must follow this rule for any hosts on dial-up, DSL, cable
+     services or LAN through some broadband router.  Even if your home host
+     has a fixed IP from your ISP, it is still a good idea to follow this
+     rule.  Most workstations and home servers fall into this category.
+