For those looking to turn off the catch all address first, this is how you do it in cPanel:

First log in, then click on the ‘Default Address’ icon:

You will then be presented with a list of option, you need to change the radio from ‘Forward to email address’ to ‘Discard with error to senter (at SMTP time)’:

This will then reply to all e-mails sent to addresses which have not been set up (all catch all addresses *@domain.com), the message sent can be specificied on that page but if not it will simply send ‘No such person at this address’.

As you can see, you can also discard the message totally (no reply to sender) but keep in mind if someone sends a genuine email they will not be aware they mistyped your e-mail address and thus assume .  The other option is to pipe all e-mails, this is commonly used in scripts like help desks (PHP, Pearl).

Disabling  catch all by default for new cPanel accounts in WHM:

If you are running WHM on your server and want to have catch all disabled by default then it’s simply, log into WHM and go to ‘Tweak Settings’:

Then scroll down to ‘Mail’ and change the setting from ‘Local’ to ‘Fail’:

Save the settings and then all new accounts will have catch all disabled.

Removing existing emails.

So now you won’t receive any more, you still need to get rid of the existing mail which could be taking up copious ammounts of space, for this you may require assistance from your web host depending on how they have everything set up because you will need to delete some files outside of your web root.

If it’s your server the path should be ‘/home/user/mail/’ if it’s not and you just have a cPanel account then you should just see ‘/mail/’.

Within the mail directory you will see three folders, cur, new and tmp:

You need to delete the ‘cur’ directory and then recreate it (basically, your deleting the contents of the folder), you then still have a cur folder with absolutely no contents.

That’s it, that’s everything!

Note: In cPanel you might still see the usage for the catch all account still takes room, well that’s not strictly true, the server simply needs to update which it will do but be rest assured the space is not actually being taken up.

As you can see in the image, there is a note stating that space usage is recalculated every few hours.

You can force an update, but I wouldn’t bother, just let cPanel do it, it’s safer.

I have a mixture of systems here running on Windows XP, Ubuntu & CentOS however XP is my main platform not because it’s good, because it isn’t, but because some of the programs I use (funny enough not in this list ) only work on it, for example my network hard drives, although there is a Linux work through, it means spending time getting it running, backing up the drives because they’re file systems will need changing and the hassle is just not worth it at the moment and yes I’m aware I could install a partitioned version of XP on a Linux machine.

So for this reason, some of these applications may only be Windows based and if your on a windows machine then it’s sure worth giving them a try.

My most used daily applications are as follows:

1. Firefox – I’ve always been a fan of Mozilla and as far as browsers go this is my all time favourite, I have to admit I wasn’t to keen on the latest major release at first, but now I’ve got use to it, I love it.

Because I’m involved in various web projects I find some of the plugins available for FireFox amazing, one of my most used plugins would be Firebug – In short this will help you find faults with websites.

2.  Thunderbird – Yes it’s another Mozilla product, this time a mail application which has the capability of both POP and IMAP which is important for me.

There is no special reason I use this other than it’s simple, it’s free, the spell checker works (added dictionary for English – British) and it’s not Microsoft, plus in my opinion it’s the best available.

3. WinSCP -I’ve used the rest and I truely believe this is the best and what’s more is that this is also open source and free. As far as FTP clients for windows go in my honest opinion this out performs others, I’ve never had one issue with this client yet and I’ve used it for years.

In addition to it being free, I also find it very stable and love the fact that it’s only a one button click away from loading up PuTTY. It’s secure and runs over SFTP providing your server enables SSH connections that are not “jailed” depending on your hosts settings. But not to worry if you can’t use SFTP then you can still use FTP.

4. PuTTY – If your needing a CLI then this is the application for the job, I find it simple to use with the features I need.

What makes this extra special for me is that it’s like the strong arm of WinSCP, like I said when using WinSCP it’s only a click away.

5. OpenOffice Writter – Open Office is your answer to Microsoft Office, I don’t use many of the other tools in it but you might, it comes packed with Writer, base, cal, draw, impress, math, but it’s mainly writer I use.

Basically Open Office will do everything from spread sheets, word documents to presentations and more. I was introduced to this by a good friend of mine whom I work with on another open source project and since then I’ve never looked back. Basically fulfils most of my writing needs.

And then Some……………………..

I also use many other applications which are maybe noteworthy for people to try:

Browsers:

Opera

Internet Explorer 7 (IE8 looks promising)

Safari – From Apple

I use various browsers when testing websites out to see how well they render, I also have similar browsers installed on my Linux machines.

Other:

WinMerge – Very handy when you need to compare two documents for changes and when you might need to merge them. Also handy for when your working with web projects and you need to quickly compare code which someone else has written.

PHPDesigner -  I’ve not yet purchased this piece of software but I have tried the trial and a friends*cough* copy. I much prefer using PHPDesigner over any other software including Dreamweaver. Don’t be confused by it’s name though because it’s also good for HTML, CSS, JS, XML and many more.

It also integrates nicely with the PHP manuals. It’s not free but it is worth it.

And for the finale………………………………………

Ok it’s not a musical end but still this is a pretty impressive and small application which I was introduced to by my good friend James Morris:

Startup Control Panel – I couldn’t really do it any justice in my explanation so here is theirs:

Startup Control Panel is a nifty control panel applet that allows you to easily configure which programs run when your computer starts. It’s very small and won’t burden your system. A valuable tool for system administrators!

My computer can now breath again when it boots up.

With the exception of PHPDesigner, every other application linked to in this blog is FREE, some are open source, some licensed under GPL or similar but most of all did I mention, their FREE.

If you saw my last blog you will of seen I sent another E-mail to them both, and I got a reply from Philips Collection Service:

Dear Mr Bowers,

Thank you for the copy of the recent email sent to the DVLA.

I can confirm that we have been contacted by the DVLA today, 28.05.08 at 11:11 whereupon they have requested the case be returned back to them. This has now been done and further contact should not be received from us at this time.

Our records show that we noted your concerns onto your account and that an official Complaints Form was sent to you on 15.05.08. Once this has been returned by you we will be happy to investigate the matter in question.

In the meantime if you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Kind Regards

Philips

And I fired off a reply back:

I will continue to copy both Philips and the DVLA Here

The DVLA had informed me this would stop long before now, so in their slowness to act my family and I have continued to be harassed by text messages to a land line phone which gives out my personal details and circumstances without care for the data protection act.

Philips I write this E-mail because only a few minutes ago I received another text message to the land line telephone telling me my case is being passed for further action or my balance is still outstanding.

Yet more incompetence, and then to ask me to fill in another complaints form I care not for your procedures in hoping the public are to lazy to fill in a form and then no further action can be taken.I care only for the time lost and the cost incurred by myself in other words you have my complaint in writing I see no reason why I should waste more of my life on this matter except to receive justice.

I’m not sure of whom I dealt with on the phone, it could of even been you for all I know and care, my suggestion though is you send your staff on a customer relations course and train them that mistakes happen and therefore shouldn’t make accusations that a person is a criminal regardless of whether it was done direct or indirect.

Whilst typing this mail I have another message on my phone, that’s two but the first one I put the phone down on, perhaps that’s the message system redelivering.

And I won’t contact your office on the phone to discuss anything, last time we know what happened and look now I’m still being harassed.

Kind Regards
Tim Bowers

I certainly won’t contact them on the phone, the last time I tried to get help from a human in their company they basically accused me of being a criminal and a lier.

Can’t deal with automate systems and can’t deal with real people, this world is screwed.

I tried calling but again a message came on telling my about how they are busy and that I could renew my tax on-line and then it put the phone down on me, so I couldn’t deal with a real person, I couldn’t wait on the line for one either. AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I sent an E-mail to them.

Now I’m starting to get annoyed with your incompetence, your a useless bunch of people. This E-mail is being sent to both the DVLA and Philips Unprofessionally Collection Services. (note the e-mails this is being sent too)

You (DVLA) informed me that you would stop Philips Collection Services from breaking the data protection act on my telephone, by leaving messages for my family and friends to hear. You told me this would stop and you would look into the situation of you misplacing my details about my car being written off by my insurance company in 2006, but they are still hounding. Can’t you people and your own departments communicate, or do you lack some form of intelligence?

I will seek legal action for your incompetence in this matter unless a prompt resolution is found along with substantial compensation for the increasing time and money I loose along with the immense stress you are placing me and my family under, breaking the data protection act is illegal, and you have no grounds to base any legal action against me I did my duty as required, you failed yours!!

http://auroral.co.uk/2008/05/14/dvla-philips-collection-services-ltd-are-taking-me-for-a-ride/

http://auroral.co.uk/2008/05/26/philips-collection-services-and-the-dvla-are-useless/

Note: When searching for Philips Collection Services on Google we display on the front page to your prospective clients.

I will continue to make public posts about your incompetence in this matter.

Kind Regards
The guy who will be suing you.
Timothy Bowers.

DVLA & Philips Collections Services LTD Are Taking Me For A Ride

I received a letter from the DVLA informing me they were looking into the matter and would put a hold on the work by Philips Collection Services, well it seems they apparently can’t even control that. Philips Collection Services Left another few messages on my answering machine telling me they are taking further legal action, they again state my name, my penalty. This answering machine is accessible by my friends and family along with people who visit my house, because when you press play it plays out aloud.

If I were in shared accommodation then other people would know my business so the fact is that Philips Collection Services and the DVLA are now illegally breaking the Data Protection Act by making available personally identifiable information without my consent, in a way that others have access to it.

What a waste of tax payers money!!!

Well I called them to complain again only this time I was told my complaint and the original one (see link above) would only deal with the certain issues and if I intended not to pay the fine/penalty then I’d also need to write to another department within the DVLA which is ridiculous how can they not communicate together and sort the mess out they cause. Was it not obvious I’m not going to pay a penalty for something I don’t owe, my car was written off I informed them of such hence my work is done.

Here’s the new letter that’s being sent out to them:

 

Timothy Bowers
## #### ####
#########
Doncaster
#### ###

26th May 2008
Philips Reference: #######
DVLA Reference: ########

Re: Cover Letter – Renault Laguna RT – ### ###

Philips/DVLA

This letter is in addition to my complaint filed on the 12th May 2008.

I’m now being forced to waste yet more of my time on this matter, because apparently your departments cannot coordinate nor communicate with each other directly, This is ridiculous.

You will see in the complaint which is attached with this letter the issues which require addressing.

I have no intention of paying this £80 fine as I’m sure you understand it’s not my debt to pay. I also understand you may deal with tax evasion on a daily basis however even if you claim that you didn’t receive correspondence from me then you will be able to see that this vehicle was written off by my insurance company shortly after the SORN application.

Now there is another issue and one which I’m contemplating legal action on. The company Philips Collection Services, that you viciously set upon me have broken the Data Protection Act by leaving messages on an answering machine. This answering machine is available by my whole house hold, when leaving a message or playing back it’s done out aloud, my friends and family are now aware of this current situation. If I had been in share accommodation other people would know my full name, the debt you claim I owe and that your apparently taking further action. This message left personally identifiable information about me.

You informed me in writing and over the phone that you would stop further action and pestering from Philips Collection Services until you had investigated this matter, well they haven’t stopped they are now sending messages to my phone informing my friends and family of further action that your apparently taking.

I now expect suitable compensation far greater than I originally requested in my other letter, I also require a formal apology.

To notify you, I’m also documenting these incidents on-line along with all letters I send you.

Kindest Regards
Timothy Bowers

Philips Collection Services did send me a complaints form to fill in along with a letter informing me I should provide proof that I informed the DVLA that the vehicle was off the road, well sorry to say but I’m not wasting my time filling in this crap I’ll deal with the organ grinder and not the monkey. I should ask them for proof I didn’t, bloody pratts.

- I don’t require breast enlargments – My knockers are large enough.

- I don’t require Viagra – I lay next to the wall in bed so no chance of rolling out.

- I’m happy to have secret admirers however they are too late, I’m now married.

- I don’t require free or premium porn – I have my hands full with the Mrs thanks.

- I don’t require products for my style or fashion – I have no style and my fashion sense is also nill

- 10 Inches maybe possible – However I’m happy with the size of my tounge

- I’m pleased people want to send me money, especially £4,000,000, 000, however there are many others in area’s of the world that need it more than me, send it to them.

- I don’t have an account with Natwest, Halifax, nationwide, etc – So thanks for looking after my internet banking security but it would help if it was the right bank that I use and with genuine links – Plus the robbing twonks that do have my account took all my money so I have none.

So in short, Spammers, Fraudsters and others whom generally have no other life, except one where they try to make others miserable – SOD OFF