High performance electronic message delivery engine

• US 20050010644A1
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ColdSpark, Inc. (Quest Software, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ColdSpark, Inc. (Quest Software, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ganora, Victor Jr., Brown, Scott T., Wanser, Kelly A.
• Application Number:
  US10/876,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20050010644A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases

Abstract

In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server and which recipient is interfaced to the Internet through a recipient server, where the message includes at least recipient information and message body, is disclosed. The method includes testing the recipient information by establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet from the sender server to the recipient server, before relying on the recipient information for sending the message, so as to provide an indication of deliverability of the message to the recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command.

Claims

1. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said message including at least recipient information and message body, said method comprising:

testing said recipient information by establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, so as to provide an indication of deliverability of said message to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

based on said indication, performing one of (i) establishing a delivery connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server then directing said message to said recipient server for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message to said recipient.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said message further includes sender information, said method further comprising:

before establishing said delivery connection, selecting a plurality of IP addresses at said sender server;

specifying a certain one of said plurality of IP addresses according to a set of predetermined rules; and

including said certain one of said plurality of IP addresses as a part of said sender information of said message.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein testing said recipient information includes querying the recipient server to verify that the recipient information is valid.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein testing said recipient information includes verifying the availability of the recipient server to receive an incoming message.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

creating a record regarding the deliverability of said message.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said messaging system includes an electronic memory for processing data and a hard drive for storing files, and said method further comprising:

handling said message as data in said electronic memory without storing said message as one of said files in said hard drive.

8. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said message including at least recipient information and message body, said method comprising:

testing said recipient information by establishing a connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, in a way which provides an indication of deliverability to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) directing said message to said recipient server through said connection to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said message further includes sender information, said method further comprising:

before directing said message to said recipient server, selecting a plurality of IP addresses at said sender server;

specifying a certain one of said plurality of IP addresses according to a set of predetermined rules; and

including said certain one of said plurality of IP addresses as a part of said sender information of said message.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein testing said recipient information includes querying the recipient server to verify that the recipient information is valid.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein testing said recipient information includes verifying the availability of the recipient server to receive an incoming message.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

creating a record regarding the deliverability of said message.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein said messaging system includes an electronic memory for processing data and a hard drive for storing files, and said method further comprising:

handling said message as data in said electronic memory without storing said message as one of said files in said hard drive.

14. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said message including at least recipient information and message body, said method comprising:

confirming deliverability of said message to said recipient according to said recipient information, wherein confirming includes

establishing a connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server, and

from said sender server, using said connection to verify said recipient information with said recipient server so as to provide an indication, without using an SMTP VRFY command, as to whether said recipient is interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server, said indication being one of a positive confirmation that said recipient is indeed interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server and a renouncement showing that said recipient is not interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

based on said indication, performing one of (i) directing said message so generated to said recipient server through said connection for delivery to said recipient, responsive to said positive confirmation, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message, responsive to said renouncement.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said message further includes sender information, said method further comprising:

before directing said message to said recipient server, selecting a plurality of IP addresses at said sender server;

specifying a certain one of said plurality of IP addresses according to a set of predetermined rules; and

including said certain one of said plurality of IP addresses as a part of said sender information of said message.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein using said connection includes querying the recipient server to verify that the recipient information is valid.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein using said connection includes ensuring the availability of the recipient server to receive an incoming message.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

creating a record regarding said indication.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein said messaging system includes an electronic memory for processing data and a hard drive for storing files, and said method further comprising:

handling said message as data in said electronic memory without storing said message as one of said files in said hard drive.

21. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said message including at least recipient information and message body, said method comprising:

confirming deliverability of said message to said recipient according to said recipient information, wherein confirming includes

establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server, and

from said sender server, verifying said recipient information with said recipient server through said temporary test connection so as to provide an indication, without using an SMTP VRFY command, as to whether said recipient is interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server, said indication being one of a positive confirmation that said recipient is indeed interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server and a renouncement showing that said recipient is not interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

based on said indication, performing one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body, responsive to said positive confirmation, then establishing a delivery connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server followed by directing said message so generated to said recipient server through said delivery connection for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message, responsive to said renouncement.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein using said temporary test connection includes querying the recipient server to authenticate that the recipient information is valid.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein using said temporary test connection includes ensuring the availability of the recipient server to receive an incoming message.

25. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said method comprising:

at said sender server, receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

testing said recipient information by establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, so as to provide an indication of deliverability to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body then establishing a delivery connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server followed by directing said message through said delivery connection to said recipient server for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said message further includes sender information, and wherein generating said message includes

selecting a plurality of IP addresses at said sender server,

specifying a certain one of said plurality of IP addresses according to a set of predetermined rules;

and

including said certain one of said plurality of IP addresses as a part of said sender information of said message.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein receiving said plurality of discrete data packets from said sender includes processing said plurality of discrete data packets as created by a human user.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein receiving said plurality of discrete data packets from said sender includes processing said plurality of discrete data packets as created by a software application.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

interfacing said software application with a database;

defining a trigger event in said database such that, when said trigger event occurs in said database, said software application automatically generates said plurality of discrete data packets.

30. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said method comprising:

at said sender server, receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

testing said recipient information by establishing a connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, in a way which provides an indication of deliverability to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body then directing said message through said connection to said recipient server for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein receiving said plurality of discrete data packets from said sender includes processing said plurality of discrete data packets as created by a human user.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein receiving said plurality of discrete data packets from said sender includes processing said plurality of discrete data packets as created by a software application.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising:

interfacing said software application with a database;

defining a trigger event in said database such that, when said trigger event occurs in said database, said software application automatically generates said plurality of discrete data packets.

34. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said method comprising:

at said sender server, receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

confirming deliverability of said message to said recipient according to said recipient information by establishing a connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server, and

from said sender server, verifying said recipient information with said recipient server through said connection so as to provide an indication, without using an SMTP VRFY command, as to whether said recipient is interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server, said indication being one of a positive confirmation that said recipient is indeed interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server and a renouncement showing that said recipient is not interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body, responsive to said positive confirmation, then directing said message so generated to said recipient server through said connection for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message, responsive to said renouncement.

35. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said method comprising:

at said sender server, receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

confirming that said message is deliverable to said recipient according to said recipient information by establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server, and

from said sender server, verifying said recipient information with said recipient server through said temporary test connection so as to provide an indication, without using an SMTP VRFY command, as to whether said recipient is interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server, said indication being one of a positive confirmation that said recipient is indeed interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server and a renouncement showing that said recipient is not interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body, responsive to said positive confirmation, then establishing a delivery connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server followed by directing said message so generated to said recipient server through said delivery connection for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message, responsive to said renouncement.

36. A modified message server configured to replace an unmodified message server interfaced to the Internet for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through said unmodified message server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said unmodified message server including a hard drive configured for saving said message as a message file thereon, and said unmodified message server being configured to forward said message file to said recipient server, said modified message server comprising:

means for receiving from said sender as a plurality discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body, said modified receiving arrangement including electronic memory for saving said plurality of discrete data packets therein; and

means for processing said plurality of discrete data packets and generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body.

37. The modified message server of claim 36 further comprising:

means for testing said recipient information by establishing a connection through the Internet from said modified message server to said recipient server and using said connection to verify said recipient information with said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, so as to provide an indication, without using an SMTP VRFY command, as to whether said recipient is interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server, said indication being one of a positive confirmation that said recipient is indeed interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server and a renouncement showing that said recipient is not interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server.

38. The modified message server of claim 37 wherein said processing means is configured to perform, based on said indication, one of (i) directing said message so generated to said recipient server through said connection for delivery to said recipient, responsive to said positive confirmation, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message, responsive to said renouncement.

39. The modified message server of claim 37 wherein said processing means is configured to generate said message only after said testing means provides said positive confirmation.

40. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a group of messages from a sender, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a plurality of recipient servers, each one of said group of messages being intended for delivery to a recipient, said method comprising:

at said sender server, receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said group of messages, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body for a corresponding one of said group of messages;

generating said group of messages by combining at least said recipient information and message body for each one of said group of messages; and

arranging said group of messages in an order in accordance with a predetermined set of rules based on at least one of said recipient information and said message body of each one of said group of messages.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising, for each one of said group of messages:

testing said recipient information by establishing a connection through the Internet from said sender server to a corresponding one of said plurality of recipient servers, before relying on said recipient information for sending said one of said group of messages, in a way which provides an indication of deliverability to the corresponding one of said plurality of recipients without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) and directing said one of said group of messages through said connection for delivery through said corresponding one of said plurality of recipient servers to one of said plurality of recipients, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said one of said group of messages.

42. The method of claim 40 further comprising, for each one of said group of messages:

testing said recipient information by establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet from said sender server to a corresponding one of said plurality of recipient servers, before relying on said recipient information for sending said one of said group of messages, in a way which provides an indication of deliverability to the corresponding one of said plurality of recipients without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) establishing a delivery connection through the Internet from said sender server to a corresponding one of said plurality of recipient servers, and directing said one of said group of messages through said delivery connection for delivery through said corresponding one of said plurality of recipient servers to one of said plurality of recipients, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said one of said group of messages.

43. The method of claim 40 wherein still another one of said plurality of discrete data packets includes sender information for a corresponding one of said group of messages, and wherein generating said group of messages further includes

selecting a plurality of IP addresses at said sender server,

specifying a certain one of said plurality of IP addresses according to a set of predetermined rules;

and

including said certain one of said plurality of IP addresses as a part of said sender information of each one of said group of messages.

44. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said method comprising:

at said sender server, receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

directing said plurality of discrete data packets through an application program interface to one of a plurality of external applications for performing at least one of (i) modifying said plurality of discrete data packets according to a first predetermined set of rules, (ii) adding additional data packets to said plurality of discrete data packets according to a second predetermined set of rules, and (iii) ordering said plurality of discrete data packets according to a third predetermined set of rules, and, consequently, for providing a plurality of resultant data packets;

receiving said plurality of resultant data packets from said one of a plurality of external applications through said application program interface;

generating said message by combining at least a portion of said plurality of resultant data packets;

establishing a connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server; and

directing said message through said connection to said recipient server for delivery to said recipient.

45. A messaging system, interfaced through the Internet, for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said message including at least recipient information and message body, said messaging system comprising:

a testing arrangement for testing said recipient information by establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, so as to provide an indication of deliverability of said message to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command.

46. The messaging system of claim 45 further comprising:

a selective delivery arrangement for performing, based on said indication, one of (i) establishing a delivery connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server then directing said message to said recipient server for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message to said recipient.

47. The messaging system of claim 45 further comprising an electronic memory for processing data and a hard drive for storing files, wherein said messaging system is configured to process said message as data in said electronic memory without storing said message as one of said files in said hard drive.

48. A messaging system, interfaced through the Internet, for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said message including at least recipient information and message body, said messaging system comprising:

a testing arrangement for testing said recipient information by establishing a connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, in a way which provides an indication of deliverability to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

a selective delivery arrangement for performing, based on said indication, one of (i) directing said message to said recipient server through said connection for to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message.

49. A messaging system, interfaced through the Internet, for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server and which recipient is interfaced to the Internet through a recipient server, said message including at least sender information, recipient information and message body, messaging system comprising:

a testing arrangement for confirming deliverability of said message to said recipient according to said recipient information by

establishing a connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server, and

from said sender server, using said connection to verify said recipient information with said recipient server so as to provide an indication without using an SMTP VRFY command as to whether said recipient is interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server, said indication being one of a positive confirmation that said recipient is indeed interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server and a renouncement showing that said recipient is not interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server.

50. The messaging system of claim 49 further comprising a selective delivery arrangement for performing, based on said indication, one of (i) directing said message so generated to said recipient server through said connection for delivery to said recipient, responsive to said positive confirmation, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message, responsive to said renouncement.

51. A messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said message including at least recipient information and message body, said messaging system comprising:

a testing arrangement for confirming deliverability of said message to said recipient according to said recipient information by

establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server, and

from said sender server, verifying said recipient information with said recipient server through said temporary test connection so as to provide an indication, without using an SMTP VRFY command, as to whether said recipient is interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server, said indication being one of a positive confirmation that said recipient is indeed interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server and a renouncement showing that said recipient is not interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server.

52. The messaging system of claim 51 further comprising a selective delivery arrangement for performing, based on said indication, one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body, responsive to said positive confirmation, then establishing a delivery connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server followed by directing said message so generated to said recipient server through said delivery connection for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message, responsive to said renouncement.

53. A messaging system, interfaced through the Internet, for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said messaging system comprising:

at said sender server, a receiving arrangement for receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

a testing arrangement for testing said recipient information by establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, so as to provide an indication of deliverability to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

a selective delivery arrangement for performing, based on said indication, one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body then establishing a delivery connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server followed by directing said message through said delivery connection to said recipient server for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message.

54. A messaging system, interfaced through the Internet, for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said messaging system comprising:

at said sender server, a receiving arrangement for receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

a testing arrangement for testing said recipient information by establishing a connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, in a way which provides an indication of deliverability to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

a selective delivery arrangement for performing, based on said indication, one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body then directing said message through said connection to said recipient server for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message.

55. A messaging system, interfaced through the Internet, for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said messaging system comprising:

at said sender server, a receiving arrangement for receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

a testing arrangement for confirming deliverability of said message to said recipient according to said recipient information by

establishing a connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server, and

from said sender server, verifying said recipient information with said recipient server through said connection so as to provide an indication, without using an SMTP VRFY command, as to whether said recipient is interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server, said indication being one of a positive confirmation that said recipient is indeed interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server and a renouncement showing that said recipient is not interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server; and

a selective delivery arrangement for performing, based on said indication, one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body, responsive to said positive confirmation, then directing said message so generated to said recipient server through said connection for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message, responsive to said renouncement.

56. A messaging system, interfaced through the Internet, for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said messaging system comprising:

at said sender server, a receiving arrangement for receiving from said sender a plurality of discrete data packets for use in defining said message, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

a testing arrangement for confirming that said message is deliverable to said recipient according to said recipient information by

establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server, and

from said sender server, verifying said recipient information with said recipient server through said temporary test connection so as to provide an indication, without using an SMTP VRFY command, as to whether said recipient is interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server, said indication being one of a positive confirmation that said recipient is indeed interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server and a renouncement showing that said recipient is not interfaced to the Internet through said recipient server; and

a selective delivery arrangement for performing, based on said indication, one of (i) generating said message by combining at least said recipient information and message body, responsive to said positive confirmation, then establishing a delivery connection through the Internet between said sender server and said recipient server followed by directing said message so generated to said recipient server through said delivery connection for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message, responsive to said renouncement.

57. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said messaging system including an electronic memory for processing data, said method comprising:

handling said message as data in said electronic memory.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said messaging system further includes a hard drive for storing files, and wherein said handling said message includes handling said message without storing said message as one of said files in said hard drive.

59. The method of claim 57 further comprising:

at said sender server, separating said message into a plurality of discrete data packets, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body; and

directing said plurality of discrete data packets through an application program interface to one of a plurality of external applications for performing at least one of (i) modifying said plurality of discrete data packets according to a first predetermined set of rules, (ii) adding additional data packets to said plurality of discrete data packets according to a second predetermined set of rules, and (iii) ordering said plurality of discrete data packets according to a third predetermined set of rules, and, consequently, for providing a plurality of resultant data packets.

60. The method of claim 59 further comprising:

receiving said plurality of resultant data packets from said one of a plurality of external applications through said application program interface;

generating said message by combining at least a portion of said plurality of resultant data packets;

establishing a connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server; and

directing said message through said connection to said recipient server for delivery to said recipient.

61. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a plurality of recipient servers, said message being intended for delivery to a recipient, said method comprising:

at said sender server, separating said message into a plurality of discrete data packets, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

testing said recipient information by establishing a connection through the Internet from said sender server to a recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, in a way which provides an indication of deliverability to the recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) directing said message through said connection for delivery through said recipient server to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message.

62. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said message being intended for delivery to a recipient, said method comprising:

at said sender server, separating said message into a plurality of discrete data packets, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body;

testing said recipient information by establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet from said sender server to a recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, in a way which provides an indication of deliverability to the recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) establishing a delivery connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, and directing said message through said connection for delivery through said recipient server to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message.

63. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a group of messages from a sender, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a plurality of recipient servers, each message in said group of messages being intended for delivery to a recipient, said method comprising:

at said sender server, separating each message in said group of messages into a plurality of discrete data packets, at least one of said plurality of discrete data packets including recipient information and at least another one of said plurality of discrete data packets including message body for the corresponding message out of said group of messages;

arranging said group of messages in an order in accordance with a predetermined set of rules based on at least one of said recipient information and said message body for each message out of said group of messages.

64. The method of claim 63 further comprising:

directing said plurality of discrete data packets through an application program interface to one of a plurality of external applications for performing at least one of (i) modifying said plurality of discrete data packets according to a first predetermined set of rules, (ii) adding additional data packets to said plurality of discrete data packets according to a second predetermined set of rules, and (iii) ordering said plurality of discrete data packets according to a third predetermined set of rules, and, consequently, for providing a plurality of resultant data packets.

65. In a messaging system interfaced through the Internet, a method for processing a message from a sender and intended for delivery to at least one recipient, which sender is interfaced to the Internet through a sender server capable of communicating with a recipient server, said messaging system including an electronic memory for processing data and a hard drive for storing files, said method comprising:

selecting at least one of (i) handling said message as data in said electronic memory without storing said message as one of said files in said hard drive, and (ii) storing said message as one of said files in said hard drive.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein said message includes at least recipient information and message body, said method further comprising:

testing said recipient information by establishing a temporary test connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, so as to provide an indication of deliverability of said message to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising:

based on said indication, performing one of (i) establishing a delivery connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server then directing said message to said recipient server for delivery to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message to said recipient.

68. The method of claim 65 wherein said message includes at least recipient information and message body, said method further comprising:

testing said recipient information by establishing a connection through the Internet from said sender server to said recipient server, before relying on said recipient information for sending said message, in a way which provides an indication of deliverability to said recipient without using an SMTP VRFY command; and

based on said indication, performing one of (i) directing said message to said recipient server through said connection to said recipient, and (ii) aborting the delivery of said message.