[Evolution-users] Receive mail directly on my own computer

[Pete Biggs]

On Sat, 2025-10-18 at 16:36 -0700, Van Snyder via evolution-users
wrote:
> I'd like to set up to receive mail directly on my own computer, not
> from a server at gmail or yahoo.
> 
> I installed postfix. I think I configured /etc/postfix/main.cf
> properly (it asked me stuff when I installed it).

I'm not entirely sure that a mailing list for Evolution is the correct
place to ask about setting up a mail server ... nevertheless ...

> 
> I poked holes in the firewall on my router for ports 25, 587, 465,
> 143, and 993. I don't know whether those are all necessary, or
> whether none of them are the correct one.

With all respect, I think you need to read up a bit on how mail
transport works - what each of those ports is used for is fairly
fundamental knowledge if you are running a service. But a quick run
down

 25 - SMTP used for moving mail between servers
587 - Mail submission: how users get mail into the system
465 - SMTPS i.e. SMTP over SSL
143 - IMAP
993 - IMAPS

You definitely don't need IMAP/IMAPS open to run an MTA.  If all you
are doing is receiving mail from outside, then port 25 is sufficient;
if you want users to submit mail, then open 587 and protect with
username/password.

A word of warning - any mail system open to the internet on port 25
will be a target of abuse. Only open ports widely if you know what you
are doing.  I've run mail servers and you have no idea how much the
commercial mail providers protect you from the worst abuse.

> 
> When I push the Send/Receive button in Evolution and select a newly
> created account for that purpose, it says "connection refused."

Use 'telnet' to make sure the correct ports are open - i.e. 

    telnet localhost 25

you should get an smtp postfix prompt if it's working. 

> 
> When I send mail to it and try to read it in XTerm with "mail" it
> says there isn't any.

Look in the mail log to see if anything has been received or is
attempting to be received. It should also tell you of any errors.

> 
> Do you have some quick advice?
> 
> Or what's a good simple tutorial to read?

I don't think you can go wrong by digesting the documentation on the
postfix.org site.

P.