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VERP

Andi Gutmans <andi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>
>Anyone want to define VERP for me? I keep on seeing verp verp and it just
>doesn't mean anything to me. Is it like a Very Extraordinary Relay
>Protocol? :)
>Am i the only ignorany one that doesn't know what it means?
>Pardon me for flooding the list for something list this.
>

It's a new term in the qmail community.  It's an acronym for
"Variable Envelope Return Paths".  It used to be called the
"owner hack".  It's what makes the envelope sender address on
messages from the qmail list so long and complex.

From RFCVERP, in the qmail 1.00 distribution:


1. Introduction

   The fundamental problem in managing a large mailing list is matching
   bounce messages to subscription addresses.

   Often a bounce message refers to a failing address that does not
   appear on the mailing list. One of the mailing list subscribers is
   forwarding messages to that address. Which subscriber? As the list
   grows, this question becomes more and more difficult to answer.

   Sometimes a bounce message doesn't identify the address that failed.
   On occasion it doesn't even include a copy of the original message.
   See RFC 1211 for an extensive collection of horror stories.

 [....]

   Variable envelope return paths (VERPs) completely eliminate this
   problem _right now_. They automatically and reliably identify the
   subscription address relevant to each bounce message. They provide
   the address in a form that is trivial for automated bounce handlers
   to parse. They require support from the local mailer, but they do not
   require support from any other hosts.


  -Greg
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