[Dovecot] best choice of user database file to work with postfix

[Ed W]

On 23/04/2010 15:51, Jerry wrote:
> There are numerous ways to export/backup a live MySQL database. I have
> employed several of them myself. You might want to check out this URL
> for starters:
>
> http://www.noupe.com/how-tos/10-ways-to-automatically-manually-backup-mysql-database.html
>
> Your statement that the only safe way to backup/export an SQL database
> is to stop it, etc is totally incorrect. No offense, but I question your
> knowledge of SQL, and MySQL in particular.

Err to be fair, I was about to reply and say that it's IS achievable, 
but on the flip side I would concede that it does require a bit of 
thought to make this stuff work correctly.  I think you are being a bit 
harsh to suggest it's *that* simple to make an automated push work reliably?

So in summary, it IS possible, but yes it does need a bit of thought, 
fair enough.

> I am somewhat perplex by you insinuation that the end users of this
> database system you are designing are total novices. Depending on the
> table:type you choose, you may very well have to invoke 'postmap' and
> perhaps 'postaliase' on them to make them usable by Postfix. If your
> intended audience is so incompetent that they cannot handle a simple
> SQL database, how do you expect them to handle the intricacies of
> getting this database you are designing serviceable?
>
> It is my own opinion; however, I think you are basing your decision on
> a fear of SQL more than on simplifying the final database decision. A
> simple SQL would greatly simplify maintenance and security. Then again,
> you are going to be the one who takes the heat if this blows up in your
> face.
>    

The OP has noted (offlist) some extra facts.  Basically he has an 
upstream setup which will generate all the files - these will then be 
pushed down to the remote sites in an automated fashion, therefore there 
will be no editing of the local files.  The situation is simply a case 
of finding the most efficient way to push the static data down to the 
remote sites

 From that point of view I still think a DB is a useful option, but the 
text/BDB options are also much more sensible

Cheers

Ed W
>
>