So, you have set up your linux mail system and want to check if it works. Here are some steps to take so you can be sure:

Since Linux (like Unix) is a system that has been designed to be part of a network, many things, including mail, are handled by servers. With this I mean server processes, not machines. So even if you set up your one and only home-computer to send out e-mail, you have configured a server - if you realize it or not.

Once this is all set you probably want to know if the configuration really works the way you want it to.

You want to test for two things: If mail you write goes out and if you can receive mail that is send to you. One approach might be to post an article to a mailing-list you have subscribed. If the mail comes back to you, everything is alright. While this is easy on you, it is not ideal for the list. So here is a better way:

1. Create an account with a freemailer. Lycos, Google, MSN, Web.de, wanadoo.fr, whatever will do.
2. Send a message from your PC to that account. If you receive it at the freemailer's, sending mail is ok.
3. Reply to that message. So you send a message from the freemailer's system (which does work!) to your account. If you receive that reply, receiving mail is working too.

With these few simple steps, you can assure that your configuration is correct. You can see how others receive your mail, including the headers, your real name and everything you might have set up in your mailer.

Usually, if sending and receiving works, the your post should go through. If you have reasonable doubt, you might contact the list-admin or if you decide to send a test-message, you should disguise it as good as you can. Dig out that old question you always wanted to ask. If you find out the answer before you post (very likely, since you will do research before you send the question, right? :) then post the answer to your old problem. It might help others. The essence is: Post something of value to the list, not just “Test. 1 - 2 - 3. My mike sounds nice!”

Check out the list's archives. Properly configured lists should add information which lead you there in each and every mail's footer. The LBo-QnA list's archives.

If you see that there really aremessages that you did not get then check your spamfolder. And if you are still missing messages, contact the list-owner with a description of the problem.