Mox is a self-hosted, all-in-one email server designed for modern usage with a focus on security and simplicity. It combines a mail transfer agent (MTA), mail delivery agent (MDA), webmail client, and anti-spam/antivirus protection into a single package, simplifying setup and maintenance. Utilizing modern technologies like DKIM, DMARC, SPF, and ARC, Mox prioritizes email security. It also offers user-friendly features like a built-in address book, calendar, and support for multiple domains and users. The software is available for various platforms and aims to provide a comprehensive and secure email solution without the complexity of managing separate components.
Imapsync is a command-line tool designed for synchronizing or migrating email accounts between IMAP servers. It supports a wide range of scenarios, including one-way and two-way synchronization, transferring emails between different providers, migrating to a new server, and creating backups. Imapsync offers features like folder filtering, bandwidth control, SSL/TLS encryption, and the ability to resume interrupted transfers. It prioritizes data safety and accuracy, employing techniques like dry runs to preview changes and MD5 checksum comparisons to verify message integrity. While primarily aimed at advanced users comfortable with command-line interfaces, its documentation provides detailed instructions and examples.
Hacker News users discuss imapsync's utility for migrating email, highlighting its speed and effectiveness, particularly with large mailboxes. Some users praise its ability to handle complex migrations across different providers, while others caution about potential issues like duplicate emails if not used carefully. Several commenters suggest alternative tools like OfflineIMAP, isync, and mbsync, comparing their features and ease of use to imapsync. A few users also share their experiences using imapsync for specific migration scenarios, offering practical tips and workarounds for common challenges.
Summary of Comments ( 255 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43261729
Hacker News users discuss Mox, a new all-in-one email server. Several commenters express interest in the project, praising its modern design and focus on security. Some question the practicality of running a personal email server given the complexity and maintenance involved, contrasted with the convenience of established providers. Others inquire about specific features like DKIM signing and spam filtering, while a few raise concerns about potential vulnerabilities and the challenge of achieving reliable deliverability. The overall sentiment leans towards cautious optimism, with many eager to see how Mox develops. A significant number of commenters express a desire for simpler, more privacy-respecting email solutions.
The Hacker News post "Mox – modern, secure, all-in-one email server" generated a moderate number of comments discussing various aspects of the Mox email server and self-hosting email in general.
Several commenters expressed interest in Mox, praising its modern approach and integrated feature set. They appreciated the focus on security and the potential for a streamlined, user-friendly experience compared to setting up and maintaining individual email server components. The all-in-one nature of Mox, incorporating anti-spam, anti-virus, and full-text search, was seen as a major advantage.
Some users raised concerns and questions about specific features and functionalities. Discussion arose around the database backend used by Mox, with some expressing preference for PostgreSQL due to its robustness and maturity. Questions were also raised about the webmail client, calendar integration, and the overall performance and scalability of the system, especially for handling larger mailboxes.
The topic of DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) signing and its implementation in Mox was brought up, highlighting the importance of this security measure for email authentication. Relatedly, the challenges of email deliverability and avoiding spam filters were discussed, acknowledging the complexities involved in self-hosting email.
Several commenters shared their experiences with self-hosting email, some highlighting the difficulties and maintenance overhead involved. They discussed alternative solutions like Mail-in-a-Box and Mailcow, comparing their features and ease of use to Mox. The relative simplicity and integrated nature of Mox was seen as a potential advantage over these alternatives.
A few commenters expressed skepticism about the viability of self-hosting email for average users, citing the technical expertise required and the ongoing maintenance burden. They suggested that managed email solutions might be a more practical option for most people.
Overall, the comments reflect a mix of enthusiasm for Mox's potential as a modern and secure email server solution and pragmatic concerns about the complexities of self-hosting email. The discussion provided valuable insights into the challenges and considerations involved in choosing an email solution, highlighting the trade-offs between control, security, and ease of use.