Re: [Fetchmail-users] oddball, but probably viral ISP emil server configuration

[Brian B. <br...@pi...>]

On 15/09/17 10:13, Gene Heskett wrote:
> On Thursday 14 September 2017 15:06:58 Matthias Andree wrote:
> 
>> Am 14.09.2017 um 10:49 schrieb Gene Heskett:
>>> Greetings all;
>>>
>>> My ISP is running an imap/pop3 combined email server, but they,
>>> because its shared with imap users, have disabled fetchmails ability
>>> to delete the successfully pulled message. I have had somewhat
>>> heated discussions with the tech people, but they are convinced its
>>> the only way they can make imap work from any customers machines.
>>
>> Which is nonsense.
>>
>>> They also do not, when logged into the webmail, actually delete the
>>> mails selected for deletion, but silently move them, maximum of 100
>>> at a time, to the trash folder, and it does not show a message count
>>> until you select it, and discover nearly 30,000 old emails sitting
>>> in there. That folder can be one click cleared, except this whole
>>> procedure just cost me an hour and a half to do the moves, and then
>>> the folder clearing.
>>>
>>> Is there some way I can make fetchmail automatically, not dele, that
>>> is ignored, but move to the trash, each message as its successfully
>>> downloaded?
>>
>> Unfortunately there isn't.
> 
> I suspected as much.
> 
>> Code to copy messages to trash (not all
>> IMAP servers can actually /move/) hasn't been written for fetchmail.
>> The proper answer is to find a ISP with clueful staff...
>>
>> Sorry.
>>
> But I am out in the semi-rural and wilder brush of north central WV, they
> are the local cable company, scattered about WV, VA, PA & possibly the
> Carolina's. The alternative is Frontier.net, running on what was
> Verizons 50 yo copper, none of which is buried deep enough to clear your
> weed eater or lawnmower.  Except for this, it generally  Just Works(TM).
> 
> Thank you for checking instead of ignoring me.
> 
> Cheers, Gene Heskett

Sorry to pick up this thread late, Gene.

I don't see any reason why you should be using the email service from 
your ISP. In general, that is a very bad idea because it means you are 
adding another layer of "stickiness" to any possible future move to a 
different ISP. There are many free or fee email providers, and some will 
allow you to personalise your mail domain name. Many also provide pop3 
and imap support which actually works as intended.

My region of Australia was recently converted to a new broadband 
infrastructure, but many of my friends (who hadn't taken the advice 
above) were effectively obliged to stick with the same ISP on the new 
network because their contacts all had the isp-domain email address 
embedded in their address books.

I advise you to switch your email provider soon, and set up your new 
email infrastructure in parallel to the old "mess". Take time to ask 
your contacts to start using the new address(es) and watch the reduction 
in flow via the old addresses. If you are ever offered a competitive 
broadband service, you will be ready to take advantage quickly.

Sympathies! Good luck,

Brian