Need email server aid

[Chan Chung Hang Christopher]

Alvin Thompson wrote:
> On 04/29/2010 09:37 PM, Christopher Chan wrote:
>> Too bad you are the only example of someone claiming to use smtp for
>> remote control. Since you say that people have done it before, then feel
>> free to provide links.
> ...
>> Yeah, yeah, I have no interest in winning an argument. In fact, feel
>> free to prove me wrong with some evidence of people using smtp for
>> remote control.
> 
> Um...well, golly...how about...THIS THREAD? That's what Chuck was trying 
> to use SMTP for, and it seemed like a perfectly reasonable solution to 
> him...
> 
> Oh wait...what is this we're communicating on?  Oh, that's right: A 
> MAILING LIST! And how does 90% of the mailing list software out there 
> get controlled?  BY SENDING EMAIL TO IT!
> 
> I'm sure a successful business person like you (you must be successful, 
> because you're so smart, articulate, and well-reasoned) has heard of a 
> little something called Microsoft Exchange? And on Microsoft Exchange 
> have you seen the calendars? And how can you remotely add to someone's 
> calendar? BY SENDING AN EMAIL MEETING REQUEST, which Exchange receives 
> and uses the information in it to update the calendar.
> 
> With most issue management software out there (including launchpad), you 
> can update the status of issues by SENDING EMAIL TO IT.
> 
> You can email some internet-aware DVR's out there to record your shows. 
> In fact, I seem to remember a commercial very recently about two guys 
> who were caught in a robbery in a bank, but one of the guys sent a 
> message to his DVR so he wouldn't miss his shows. Perhaps you saw it...
> 
> There are "Shopping List" apps you can run on your pda/phone, where if 
> you're at the market, and your wife (elsewhere) wants to add something 
> to your shopping list, she can send an SMS (same principle) to the app 
> on your phone, and it updates your shopping list.
> 
> To confirm registration on many web sites, they send you an email. Then 
> you have to send them a reply email (or often you can also click on a 
> link). You're controlling that registration software with that email.
> 
> With most document routing software, you can approve or disapprove of a 
> document by sending a reply email.
> 

Ooh, bravo! You win! OH wait a minute...none of these examples actually 
  do the remote control in smtp. But great list of email related remote 
controlled server software. I really loved the mailing list one. I mean, 
how could I ever forget the one application that can cause tons of 
contention between email administrators. Funny how the only possible 
device that might be similar to Chuck's project seems to be the DVR. 
Must be Geek Heaven to have to set up dns records or smtp routing 
somewhere to get the email to the DVR.

Oh, and thanks for completely forgetting about discovery of fellow 
devices, you know, the main thrust of the post that your reply was sent 
to? Nevermind, I know, just because it has not been done is not a good 
enough reason not to do it with smtp. Anyway, you win, people routinely 
do remote control with email. Happy?