Stuart,

Thanks for your reply.

Samba doesn't handle mail, but, as far as I'm aware it needs to have a list of valid users to handle user accounts.

I was advised to use Exim, which I was told was easy to configure: seems the info I had was way out of date and that the exim install has mutated to require dozens of configuration files, most of which are modified by scripts, and a good proportion of which seem to have no effect whatsoever.

I also have a real problem with the terminology.

What, for example, is the hostname? Is it the name of the server itself? is it the MX tab?

The relay stuff had me confused too. I previously worked for a company that was hacked (windows 2000 server) and used to relay spam, which, as you point out can and did result in blacklisting.

However, exim has steadfastly refused to relay from the local network (OE on XP), and no amount of tweaking of the myriad configuration files (see above) made the slightest impression.

Anyway, thank you for your efforts on this, I am sure that in today's environment of Spam, and malicious email, I can't be the only one wanting to set up an email server to filter nail and any help I get will, no doubt assist everyone else in utilising one of the undoubted strengths of linux.