Email aliases with exim: Difference between revisions

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YSTV makes extensive use of aliases in its [[email]] system (run on [[exim]]). At any one time there is only one email mailbox per [[server account]]'d user in YSTV (e.g. <code>john.smith@ystv.co.uk</code>), with the exception of a couple of special ones for [[Computing Team|Computing]] use. If a person [[Committee Handover|assumes a committee position]] (e.g. Time Lord), an alias will be created in order that all mail sent to <code>time.lord@ystv.co.uk</code> is delivered to <code>john.smith@ystv.co.uk</code>.
YSTV makes extensive use of aliases in its [[email]] system (run on [[exim]]). At any one time there is only one email mailbox per [[server account]]'d user in YSTV (e.g. <code>john.smith@ystv.co.uk</code>), with the exception of a couple of special ones for [[Computing Team|Computing]] use. If a person [[Committee Handover|assumes a committee position]] (e.g. Time Lord), an alias will be created in order that all mail sent to <code>time.lord@ystv.co.uk</code> is delivered to <code>john.smith@ystv.co.uk</code>.


For the main committee positions, these aliases are permanently in place - at changeover of the position, the real user it points to is changed by the [[Computing Officer]] in the aliases file at ''<code>/etc/aliases</code>'' on \\[[ystvweb]].
For the main committee positions, these aliases are permanently in place - at changeover of the position, the real user it points to is changed by the [[hist:Computing Officer|Computing Officer]] in the aliases file at ''<code>/etc/aliases</code>'' on \\[[ystvweb]].


The structure of the file is:
The structure of the file is:
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#*Mail can be split and sent to several addresses separated by commas: <code>time.lord:  john.smith,the.oncoming.storm,caretaker</code>
#*Mail can be split and sent to several addresses separated by commas: <code>time.lord:  john.smith,the.oncoming.storm,caretaker</code>
#*Mail can be aliased to non-YSTV email addresses, just write out the full address.
#*Mail can be aliased to non-YSTV email addresses, just write out the full address.
#*Mail can be aliased to another alias.
#*To throw mail sent to an alias into oblivion, point it to '':blackhole:'' as: <code>the.master:  :blackhole:</code>
#*To throw mail sent to an alias into oblivion, point it to '':blackhole:'' as: <code>the.master:  :blackhole:</code>
# Save your changes (''Ctrl+O'' in nano).
# Save your changes (''Ctrl+O'' in nano).
# Rerun: <code>sudo newaliases</code>
# Run: <code>sudo newaliases</code>


== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==
There are some miscellaneous sections kept for amusement, historical purposes or people we don't want to listen to.
There are some miscellaneous sections kept for amusement, historical purposes or people we don't want to listen to.
*<code>charlie</code> aliases to <code>rick</code> - this is a reference to [http://ystv.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Charlie_Selby Charlie Selby], the son of Rick Selby and Sarah Leese, who legend has it was conceived in the station and is hence an honorary member.
*<code>charlie</code> aliases to <code>rick</code> - this is a reference to the son of [[hist:Rick Selby|Rick Selby]] and [[hist:Sarah Leese|Sarah Leese]], who legend has it was conceived in the station and is hence an honorary member.
*<code>jesus</code> used to redirect to Technical Jesus [http://ystv.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Michael_Chislett Mike Chislett]. He has since had a haircut.
*<code>jesus</code> used to redirect to Technical Jesus [[hist:Michael Chislett|Mike Chislett]]. He has since had a haircut.
 
[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:Email]]

Latest revision as of 09:08, 23 July 2021

YSTV makes extensive use of aliases in its email system (run on exim). At any one time there is only one email mailbox per server account'd user in YSTV (e.g. john.smith@ystv.co.uk), with the exception of a couple of special ones for Computing use. If a person assumes a committee position (e.g. Time Lord), an alias will be created in order that all mail sent to time.lord@ystv.co.uk is delivered to john.smith@ystv.co.uk.

For the main committee positions, these aliases are permanently in place - at changeover of the position, the real user it points to is changed by the Computing Officer in the aliases file at /etc/aliases on \\ystvweb.

The structure of the file is:

# *******section title********
alias:   address

Adding aliases

  1. SSH into ystvweb.
  2. Open the aliases file for editing: sudo nano /etc/aliases
  3. To add an alias, find the appropriate section and put it on a new line: time.lord: john.smith
    • Mail can be split and sent to several addresses separated by commas: time.lord: john.smith,the.oncoming.storm,caretaker
    • Mail can be aliased to non-YSTV email addresses, just write out the full address.
    • Mail can be aliased to another alias.
    • To throw mail sent to an alias into oblivion, point it to :blackhole: as: the.master: :blackhole:
  4. Save your changes (Ctrl+O in nano).
  5. Run: sudo newaliases

Trivia

There are some miscellaneous sections kept for amusement, historical purposes or people we don't want to listen to.

  • charlie aliases to rick - this is a reference to the son of Rick Selby and Sarah Leese, who legend has it was conceived in the station and is hence an honorary member.
  • jesus used to redirect to Technical Jesus Mike Chislett. He has since had a haircut.