up vote 2 down vote favorite
1
share [g+] share [fb]

I'm planning to stop using some google services (like gmail for personal email, still be using for services like google code though). I'm not too paranoid, I know every service in the net is a threat to privacy. The problem with google is that it has access to all my search history, chat, e-mail, and simply associates everything - my whole life online. Is different from having some info in a flickr account, some in twitter, you can delete an account and they will not (hopefully) be merged to get more information about yourself.

I don't know if in 20 years, 40 years, this is going to be used against me, or Google becomes a corporation with different owners that are completely evil.

Anyway. I was planning to pay $20 a month to a VPS and install some kind of email server/client. I would buy a domain for me and create an email using @domain.

I would like to know some suggestions for open source solutions, I dont want something really complex ("a complete enterprise groupware solution", just the name "enterprise" gives me itches), I want a simple web based e-mail account. If a web interface is not possible, at least a *nix solution very light which supports pop3/imap.

Is there a "spam" group where I can get a blacklist of ips or something for spams as well, that integrates into an email solution like above? One of the things I really liked about gmail was it's spam control.

If possible, I would like to know some experiences from those who are trying to do the same as me. I'm a beginner in Linux and sys-administration, but I dont mind having to learn all that stuff. It's an opportunity to learn some new skills.

link|improve this question
100% accept rate
The only way to not have data collected about you, is to not use the PC, and don't go outside. – KronoS Sep 15 '10 at 18:22
You missed the whole point of my question. I don't want to avoid having data about me collected, I just don't want to have all my online life collected by the same company. Sensitive information are going to be used in a machine I have at least some control. I will still be using my gmail account, mainly for simple google services (like google code). – Somebody still uses you MS-DOS Sep 15 '10 at 20:04
If you don't want it all under Google's umbrella, you could just use one of the other email providers out there. I moved to gmail so that I didn't have to deal with running my own mail server any more, something I did for about 3 years. It was fun at the time but it gets to be too much effort. – Graeme Donaldson Sep 17 '10 at 13:51
feedback

migrated from superuser.com Sep 16 '10 at 18:29

This question came from our site for computer enthusiasts and power users.

2 Answers

up vote 7 down vote accepted

I would like to know some suggestions for open source solutions, I dont want something really complex ("a complete enterprise groupware solution", just the name "enterprise" gives me itches), I want a simple web based e-mail account. If a web interface is not possible, at least a *nix solution very light which supports pop3/imap.

I use:

  • Postfix for SMTP
  • Dovecot for IMAP4 (and POP3 if you really really want it)
    • also as the SASL provider for postfix
  • RoundCube for webmail when I'm away from a computer with SSH
    • SquirrelMail if you want something a lot ligher
    • or Horde IMP for something heavier
  • bogofilter to filter spam (although I haven't received any yet; but that's only because the mail address is not public)
    • spamassassin is probably a lot better
link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 2 down vote

It doesn't sound like you want to commit alot of time to this, so why not just use a 3rd-party email hosting service provider? There's tons of other free ones, but I've always had good experiences with RackSpace. You can host your own domain/mailbox for $2-10 a month: spam filtering built-in, calendar, Outlook/Exchange, etc.

While your data is obviously still stored in their infrastructure, they're not in the advertising business and quote, "do not read your email". Check out their privacy terms; they're solid.

link|improve this answer
This is indeed and interesting solution. But I was interested in configuring my own infra-structure to learn more about all that stuff. If I give up, your suggestion is a good option. – Somebody still uses you MS-DOS Sep 22 '10 at 17:24
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown
discard

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.