[RESOLVED] Email to php

[zzz]

I want to figure out how it is done. Some sited, like Elance allow a workspace for a particular project, but they also offer a unique email address for a particular project. When a message is sent to that address it is posted to the project workspace.

How does that transition from email to web functionality actually happens?

Thanks.

[bradgrafelman]

They probably have the account setup so that all incoming messages are piped to a script (PHP, Pythin, Perl, ... anything) rather than a mailbox.

[zzz]

Hmm, thanks. Do you think there's some sort of filter that recognizes email pattern? For example Elance has it in the following format:

[e-mail]

And how does it "pipe it" into the script? Does it change it into $_POST['emailMessage'] request?

I have a perfect case for such use. I do have a dedicated server and I think I should be able to get it done. I have a perfect case for such use.

I'd love to be able to figure out how to do this...

😃

[bradgrafelman]

Google "pipe email to PHP" or something similar - you're bound to find numerous examples/how-to's on the subject.

[zzz]

You'r5e right. Just found this article that make a few things clearer:

http://www.webmasters-central.com/article-blog/tutorials/email-pipe-tutorial-setting-up-email-piping/

It seems like setting static email is fairly easy, but I need it to recognize a dynamic email address pattern, which is can be defined easily in my case. Still a bit foggy, but am getting somewhere.

Thanks for the tips!

[bradgrafelman]

You might try researching how to setup a catch-all account that contains all e-mails that don't match any other account. You could set this catch-all account to pipe e-mails to a PHP script and do the processing there; if the address matches the pattern(s), process it... else simply discard it.

[zzz]

Oh, this is a great idea. I'll google more.

[zzz]

I'm having real hard time finding any advice on how to setup a CATCHALL email account on UNIX server. I spoke couple of times with my hosting company (GoDaddy.com) but because I have a dedicated server they are not willing to be helpful, saying that it is my responsibility to maintain the server. All I need is some guidance on which file to modify and with what. Bump.

[sneakyimp]

I'm not certain which mail program runs on your machine to deliver mail, but it is probably an option in that program. If you have CPanel or Plesk installed, you can probably set up a catchall email account for a particular domain in there somewhere.

If not, how do you manage your email accounts for this machine?

[zzz]

I use something called Simple Control Panel, which allows to create and manage email accounts but for some reason has no option to setup Catch-all accounts... I checked with Support and they confirmed. Yes, CPanel and even shared hosting plans with the same host have such options. I ended up hiring a system admin to help me out with this setup and the pipe itself.

[sneakyimp]

Sorry you had to pay for it, but a good sysadmin is a beautiful thing.

[zzz]

That's right! He's still working on it but I have all the confidence it'll be done.