[Info-vax] $ mail/subj="test" NL: smtp%"John.Doe at gmail.com" failed

[Michael Moroney]

DTL <didier.morandi at gmail.com> writes:

>Hello,

>I enabled my SMTP Client for

>  DIGITAL TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Alpha Version V5.6
>  on a DEC 3000 Model 400 running OpenVMS V8.3

>but command 

>$  mail/subj="test" NL: smtp%"John.Doe at gmail.com" 

>failed "gracefully" (no error messages on screen)
>Mail did not go through.
>I checked my spam box, nothing.
>Where should I start my investigations, please?
>Thanks.

One possibility is that if you are using a residential DSL line or
something for your outgoing SMTP connection, everything may "work" on the
VMS end, but the recipient's ISP may reject incoming emails from
residential IPs.  Reason?  Spam from "pwned" Windoze boxes.  Legitimate
email is supposed to go through your ISP's gateway, but spam malware
typically sends directly.  (aside: is there a way to configure HP's SMTP
to use an ISP's gateway? I think I asked before and the answer was "no",
but "yes" if you use some other TCP/IP packages)