My problem is this;
I need to send 1500 emails via EE, but my provider only allows 500 emails per 5 min’s.
EE can restrict the number of emails sent at once, but from what I see, I cant set it to send this batch of emails every 5 min’s or so.

You had provided me with a hack and I had changed

on system/cp/cp.communicate.php to 350 and it worked just fine on version 1.6.1.

However, for some reason after the update to 1.6.3, is does not work anymore. It only initially delays and then sends the rest of the batches very fast.

So I have 2 requests

First, what do I have to do in order to delay sending the second batch by 5 min’s

Second

I would like this feature to be incorporated in the communications control panel, because every time there is an update I have to hack if from the beginning.

I must say that all hosting companies I have ever seen have a similar restriction when sending email. So I imagine I must not be the only one who has the problem.

Regards

Feature request noted, George.  Are you modifying both locations in that file that refer to $DSP->ref_rate?  There is one when batch mode is initiated, and another for the interim requests.

Well I found why it doesnt work anymore, my ISP has limited me to 300 emails per hour, so the hack wont do me any good.

In any case, the request still stand.

I want to make another request.

Duo to my problem, I would like to have 2 mail server settings in the control panel.

It would work like this.

The default SMTP server and the secondaty SMTP settings.

The reason is this…

When someone subscribes to my site, the default mail settings would kick in.

However, When I want to send a mass email, I would like the option of choosing a different SMTP server from the communications panel.

I plan on setting up a SMTP sever on my local network so I can send mails to my list that way.

I give up fighting with my ISP

So 2 SMTP servers would be a big help!!

regards

Shared hosting environments are increasingly becoming hostile towards their clients using their email servers for bulk mailings.  Have you considered using a third party service like Constant Contact?  Solspace even has created a module that integrates CC with your control panel.

That your host has further decreased their allowance is an indication that this is not something they are quite happy about supporting, and by modifying ExpressionEngine to work within their arbitrary limits, you may find yourself playing a game of cat and mouse with them until they finally get to a point where they simply refuse to host you or any other ExpressionEngine users.

I looked at Constant contact, but they are just too expensive.

Might you know of a pure SMTP server company that I can log into at a fair price?

Also, I didnt understand what SOlespace does.

Solspace is a third party developer that builds add-ons for ExpressionEngine.  One of theirs integrates Constant Contact so you can manage your email campaigns from within your EE control panel similar to the Communicate page.  I don’t currently run any mailing lists, so unfortunately I do not have any insight on SMTP services available.  You might post a new topic to the General Discussion to see if any users know of any, though.