no-gmail.com - The empty or only one message POP3 server

We love Gmail, especially Google Apps, but perhaps you have a [legacy] application...
 
 - that must send e-mail through software (like Outlook or Outlook Express)
 - that doesn't work right when it uses a mailto: to Gmail link
 
and...
 
 - you don't want new mail arriving at a local inbox
 - you want to encourage/force users to reach their inbox using Gmail's web interface
 
or...
 
 - you're frustrated by users who configure POP3 for themselves, but then regret it,
   and you end up having to import all their mail back to Gmail's web interface

Then no-gmail.com is just what you're looking for!


Method 1  (free and easy)

Configure your local software per Google's instructions, but for the Incoming mail server (POP3) use:  pop.no-gmail.com   at port 110, no SSL
Our EmptyPOP server will always respond with just one message, indicating that your using this free service.


Method 2  (you run it on the local machine)

On the local machine, download and install the EmptyPOP Server.
Configure local software with POP3 server:  127.0.0.1  at port 110, no SSL


Method 3  (you run it on your server)

On a local server, download and install the EmptyPOP Server.
In C:\EMPTYPOP\settings.ini configure ListenOnIP= to be the IP address of the server you're running it on.
Optionally, create an A record on your local DNS server so:  pop.[your_company_domain]  resolves to this IP.
Configure local software with a POP3 server using the IP or A record you created above, at port 110, no SSL


Method 4  (you run it on a server and automatically prevent POP3 anywhere in your network)

Use DNS Redirector software with the following keywords in your blocked file...
 
^pop\.
^pop3\.

 
or simply...
 
pop.gmail.com   ...if that's the only POP3 service you're interested in blocking.

 
On your DNS Redirector server, download and install the EmptyPOP Server.
In C:\EMPTYPOP\settings.ini configure ListenOnIP= to be the same IP address you specified for BlockedIP= in dnsredir.ini
Configure an SSL Cert for EmptyPOP
Anyone trying to configure an email client with a POP3 server (at either port 110 or SSL port 995) will get one message (or none) served by EmptyPOP. You might use this one message to inform users on how to configure IMAP instead, or provide a link to visit webmail.


Any use is subject to the Software License Agreement.
Copyright (c) 2010 People Technology Consulting, Inc.