Linux, so I need to change the smtp to 127..0.0.1?

Well depending on which version of Linux you are using and how apache is setup you may not have localhost defined even if you do phpmail may not see it. So what I started doing was to first make a backup copy of the file before I did anything. Then I used the diagnostic email to test.

If I were you I'd open the CLI and ping 127.0.0.1 and ping localhost make sure both respond. If only 127.0.0.1 does then there you go.

Anyway, yeah change it to 127.0.0.1 (this is called your loopback interface). Give that a try. If that does not work then I'll ask more questions.

Now you do have public domains on this box that are able to use SMTP mail right? In other words you know for a fact that sendmail or whatever you are using for SMTP/POP is working correctly. Right?

Do you have aim msn we coudl talk on? This is a bit too much for moi!

Give me your address so I know to allow you. Mine is MSN: admin@wouldntsomespammerliketohaveit.com

Once you have contacted me I'll be deleting my address so do it quickly.

That's the problem. In today's world it's not feasible to host your own mail server because of how modern spam filters have become so discriminating the vast bulk of mail outbound from my server is categorized as 'spam' despite not being on any IP blacklists.

In short, "Real Email" in my book refers to very professional mail such as yahoo, gmail, and the like. I really prefer outbound vbulletin mail to come from gmail or perhaps yahoo. But have kinda given up because of the SSH requirement for gmail since apparently this vbulletin beta smtp module doesn't support it? Hmm...

If you have reverse DNS on your mail server, domain, etc and you have an SPF record you can email the president without trouble. There's nothing mysterious about email. You are either blacklisted or you are not. I've had my own email on several custom domains with reverse DNS and SPF records and never had any trouble. SPF is not a strict requirement but it makes your mail server fully compliant with the current standards.

That's part of the problem right there. Sharing an IP among several dot coms. Nothing wrong with that, yet according to spam filters it's "highly suspect" lol.

Also, the other direction is the hardest part.. keeping up with all the spam filtering updates, etc.

Yup. I've split out all my domains on to static IP's so I could get reverse DNS and SPF records set up. It's a PITA.

I've tried everything on this thread and nothing works.

My mail settings:

var $smtpHost = "mail.gamers-union.net";
var $smtpPort = 25;
var $smtpUser = "admin+gamers-union.net";
var $smtpPass = ***************;
var $smtpSocket = null;

Ive tried single quotes, double quotes, without quotes, 127.0.0.1, localhost and Illuvatar's fix

My mail server requires Authentication too. Server is linux fedora core 3 (i think).