[Pkg-mailman-hackers] Bug#718284: Bug#718284: postfix-to-mailman: can't run genaliases properly (maybe doc bug?)

[Andrew Hodgson]

Daniel Pocock wrote:

>I'm trying to use postfix-to-mailman.py

>According to the instructions in the script itself,

>a) I should set MTA=None
>b) I should run "genaliases" to generate the data/virtual-mailman file

>However, when I set MTA=None, I get this error from genaliases:

>"genaliases can't do anything useful with mm_cfg.MTA = None"

That is correct output.

>If I set
>  MTA = 'Postfix'

>then the virtual-mailman file is generated correctly.

>If I understand correctly, the presence of the virtual-mailman is not essential, but if it is present, then Postfix can reject (rather than
>bouncing) mail to unknown lists and avoid backscatter from spam.

Indeed, that is why it is preferable not to use the postfix_to_mailman.py script at all.  This script has several limitations, one of which is the backscatter to invalid addresses.  I believe the virtual Mailman configuration is a much better alternative, and I am not sure why this older script is still in the Mailman Debian package.

>Can somebody please clarify if this virtual-mailman file is still supported?  Or should the instructions in the script be changed to remove references to genaliases?

Yes, it is very much still supported if using virtual domains, please read these Postfix setup instructions, they are the definitive instructions for Mailman:

http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-install/postfix-integration.html
http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-install/postfix-virtual.html

In fact the Exim installation guide packaged with Debian Mailman makes use of these files in an alternative configuration example.

Thanks.
Andrew.