Thread: Email address VERP problems (was RE: Does a call to a language handler provide a context/session, and somewhere to keep session data?

> owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Alvaro Herrera

> On that subject.  I noticed that Outlook seems to add the "return
> path"
> addresses (sometimes called bounce address or envelope sender) to the
> CC header, which sets a new record in the stupidity scale.  Since we
> use VERP, each message gets a different return path address, so with
> each reply you make, Outlook adds a new address to the CC.

Interesting. I use a lot of mailing lists and I've not run across one
actually using VERP before. Is it becoming more frequent?

I checked the headers. It seems this list is using a VERP address for both
the Return-path and the Reply-To, and only the Sender identifies the list
directly.

No, Outlook does no such thing. Outlook by default replies to the Reply-To
(which seems reasonable). It seems that the list software is able to remove
the VERP address in this case.

If I use 'reply all' Outlook adds the Sender to the To address and preserves
existing CCs. I did not see it do what you describe in several attempts.

I rather think the problem is that the list software is not pruning VERP
addresses from the emails it sends out. I don't know exactly what is causing
them, but it certainly seems to me something that the list software could
handle effortlessly.

> Maybe this is tweakable.  If so, please turn it off.

Sorry, but there is nothing to tweak. It all seems to be working just fine
at this end. But I will keep any eye out for extra VERPs and delete them (as
I have on this message).

Regards
David M Bennett FACS

Andl - A New Database Language - andl.org

David Bennett wrote:
> > owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Alvaro Herrera
>
> > On that subject.  I noticed that Outlook seems to add the "return
> > path"
> > addresses (sometimes called bounce address or envelope sender) to the
> > CC header, which sets a new record in the stupidity scale.  Since we
> > use VERP, each message gets a different return path address, so with
> > each reply you make, Outlook adds a new address to the CC.
>
> Interesting. I use a lot of mailing lists and I've not run across one
> actually using VERP before. Is it becoming more frequent?

Not sure if it's becoming more frequent -- I only manage *this* list
server and we enabled VERP several years ago.  I thought it was common
practice ... the idea of manually managing addresses that bounce seems
completely outdated now.

> I checked the headers. It seems this list is using a VERP address for both
> the Return-path and the Reply-To, and only the Sender identifies the list
> directly.

I'm pretty sure our list server is not setting the VERP address in
Reply-To.  That would be insane, wouldn't it.  We don't touch the
Reply-To header at all.  Maybe some other program along the way modifies
the email before Outlook gets it?

> I rather think the problem is that the list software is not pruning VERP
> addresses from the emails it sends out. I don't know exactly what is causing
> them, but it certainly seems to me something that the list software could
> handle effortlessly.

Well, since the VERP addresses are not supposed to appear in those
headers, the list software doesn't try to prune -- that would be useless
99.95% of the time.  You see, this is the first time that I have seen
any mail chain do this (I've been here for several years.)

> Sorry, but there is nothing to tweak. It all seems to be working just fine
> at this end. But I will keep any eye out for extra VERPs and delete them (as
> I have on this message).

Thanks.  I think it will be better for your continued mental health to
ensure that nothing adds such addresses to Reply-To, if that is indeed
what is happening.

--
Álvaro Herrera                http://www.2ndQuadrant.com/
PostgreSQL Development, 24x7 Support, Remote DBA, Training & Services