So we have diffrent ports on internet servers, 80 for internet, 21 for FTP etc... So how 'bout we just get rid of blabla@whatever.com and just send messages to port 25 (SMTP). Subdomains could be used for the begining of the adress, ex- subdomainhere.website.com - and that would be the adress.
-- linuxguy3827, Feb 17 2005

There's probably a very good reason why this isn't done, but as I don't know it and the idea makes sense I will give you a bun. I like simplification.
-- wagster, Feb 17 2005


That was basically the way email worked in the early days of the net. You read your email locally on your Unix system using the mail command, and it was delivered to the system you worked on. You still needed the @, though, because computers will still mostly shared.

That's why the use of SMTP predates the use of POP and IMAP by several years (early 1980's versus late 1980's).

The problem is: if you turn your computer off, where does your mail go? Does everybody just keep trying to send to you until you turn it back on? Somewhat wasteful and error prone.
-- krelnik, Feb 17 2005


People turn their computers off?!
-- nineteenthly, Feb 17 2005


Bang paths?
-- bristolz, Feb 18 2005


"if you turn your computer off, where does your mail go?"

I think it would still go to the internet server. But it is addressed to subdomainhere.website.com port 25.
-- robinism, Feb 19 2005



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