| Regarding smtp, I can offer my experiences as a Canadian expat since Sept 04. Outgoing smtp is not blocked for me, though it is also not a provided service from what I know (China Telecom has no smtp servers). Trying to run my own smtp server worked only sometimes, because emails which originate from China IP addresses are often blocked from the other side, because of all the spam which originates in China. Furthermore I am not a tech expert. The only 2 solutions that work reliably are as follows: 1. sending to an smtp server that is off-continent: such as the one my Canadian webhosting provider provides me free with my webhosting package (I never knew they did, but I asked, and they do); 2. Webmail (hotmail and other IMAP providers), though this doesn't work if you need MS Outlook integration with other app's...
No solution is perfect if you're in China. I use these and estimate about 95% success (providing that your off-continent provider doesn't block your traffic from this IP too). If you want more info, email me at info@mediainform.ca. I happen to be a former telecom consultant. |
Network Infrustucture in my Home in Shanghai