MacPost is an electronic mail system for the Apple Macintosh. It is developed by Lund University Computing Center. MacPost is available via anonymous ftp at no cost.
MacPost gives Mac users access to internet mail directly from the desktop. The client is very easy to use, and the server should be relatively easy to setup for anyone somewhat experienced with Macs, AppleTalk, tcp/ip, and e-mail.
The Client
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The client is an ordinary Macintosh application. It is used to send and receive electronic mail. The user is automatically notified when a new mail arrives, regardless of what application (s)he is using. Domain addresses are used. There is a simple Address Book that allows the user to pick a name from a list, and send the mail to the associated address. Translation between Mac-ascii and seven bit ascii works automatically in both directions. BinHex enclosures are supported.
The Server
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The server runs on a dedicated Macintosh. One server can handle an entire AppleTalk internet. The client's mail is sent to the server, and it forwards the mail to a well-connected SMTP-server. Incoming mail is stored on the server until the user reads it. The server is available both for 68k and PowerMac.
Communication
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The protocol between client and server is AppleTalk. Thus, the clients and the server must be in one AppleTalk internet, but it can consist of any combination of LocalTalk, EtherTalk, TokenTalk, etc. Dial-in access is possible, if AppleTalk is used (eg. Apple Remote Access).
The protocol between the server and the well-connected SMTP-server is tcp/ip. With "well-connected" we refer to that it must be able to interpret addresses, and send the mail in the right direction. The server requires Apple's MacTCP.
Client: any Mac, System 6.0 or later, AppleTalk 48
Client - Server Communication: an AppleTalk internet network
Server - well-connected SMTP-server Communication: tcp/ip network
Network Services: a well-connected SMTP server
Status
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See the Release Notes files for info about bug fixes and new features in this release.
Copyright
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MacPost is Copyright 1988-95 Lund University Computing Center. All rights reserved.
MacPost may not be sold or offered for sale, or bundled with another product offered for sale, except with the express written permission of Lund University Computing Center.
You are allowed to copy, distribute, and use this release free of charge as long as it is not in violation of the paragraph above.
Disclaimer
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Lund University Computing Center gives no warranty, expressed or implied, for the software and/or documentation provided, including, without limitation, warranty of merchantability and warranty of fitness for a particular purpose.
Distribution
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MacPost is available via anonymous ftp from ftp.lu.se (130.235.132.90) in pub/mac/comm/macpost. Prerelease versions are avilable in pub/mac/comm/macpost/test. Compact Pro is required to unpack it. Sources are available.
The server applications and the server documentation are in English. The client and the client documentation are available in both English and Swedish.
The distribution consists of two archives, one for the client and one for the server. See the file FILES for more info.
Mailing List
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We have set up a mailing list to discuss problems, bugs, new releases etc. about MacPost. To join it, send a request to
macpost-request@ldc.lu.se (internet)
To send a mail to the list, address it to
macpost@ldc.lu.se (internet)
To send a mail only to the MacPost Development Team, address it to
macpost-admin@ldc.lu.se (internet)
You are strongly encouraged to send all questions etc. to the mailing list (ie. don't use macpost-admin). We also encourage you to reply to questions submitted to the mailing list (send your reply to the list; others than the original author may find it useful). We may not have enough time to answer questions, and the time we have at our disposal may be better spent on bug fixes and new features.
Support, bug reports
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Send bug reports and suggestions to the mailing list. If you have problems, please reread the docs, check your network, ask your local network/mail guru, and use the mailing list before you ask us!
