Ignorance is no excuse.
SMTP is not a Microsoft protocol. There is no advantange and indeed severe disadvantages to using proprietary MS software to perform the job of transporting mail.
Users need no training at all if you change MTA. They see no difference whatsoever.
How difficult is it to set up a decent mail filtering system? I've got a nigh on silent P133 lying around and could do with something to filter my mail as I get a hundred or so spam messages a day on one of my accounts, after OE has filtered out about half of them. I normally use Debian for my lunixing.
That bit is easy, it's setting up qmail that I wouldn't recommend to anyone wishing to keep a grip on their sanity. Once you have worked out how DJB's mind works you get around to appreciating qmail's legendary toughness for doing the job, and its flexibility WRT to mail forwarding. Indeed the major problem with qmail is overcoming its security enough to allow mail to enter and leave your server. Fortunately it's a lot better known than it was the first time I used it so it's possible to get help in many forms and several languages now.
If it's too much hassle, there are sensible alternatives like procmail.
FWIW, I haven't seen any spam for years now. I log all the filtered out crap and grep the logfile from time to time. AFAICT I haven't missed anythign useful. I do wonder WTF "paris hilton" is, other than being a hotel in Paris. But not enough to find out, so you don't have to tell me. Qmail should run fine on P133. I use a PII 400 and that seems like overkill, dunno what procmail needs but I would be surprised if you need anything more powerful. I know zilch about procmail, but I understand its built in filtering is good and configuration is relatively easy. Perhaps someone who understands it could enlighten you.
I'll see if there are Howtos and if ipcop or similar will do the job. I'm too lazy to do it myself :).
SMTP ?
Er, have you ever actually used an Exchange Server ? Are you aware that it offers approximately 1,000,000 other very useful features ?
People use Exchange as a PIM - it would be loonacy to setup an Exchange Server if all you need is an SMTP gateway !
Replace your OE with Outlook 2003 - it contains a built-in spam filter thingy, which I've found to be rather good !
Well yes it could, quite happily.
You go to hell your own way, just don't try and pretend it's anything other than a lazy mindset that's pushing you that way.
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