On Wednesday 2 October 2024 14:10:39 BST Dale wrote:

> I just want to switch from Gmail.  I don't really need encryption
> stuff.  I wouldn't mind doing my own but I have no clue where to even
> start on that. 
> 
> Dale
> 
> :-)  :-) 

Some links for your consideration:

https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Simple_mail_server_with_webmail

https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Complete_Virtual_Mail_Server

https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Category:Mail_Servers

https://forwardemail.net/en/blog/open-source/gentoo-linux-email-server

There's also mailinabox and similar on premises binary solutions:

https://github.com/mail-in-a-box/mailinabox

HOWEVER, setting up the mail server itself is the easy part.  Getting it 
working along with reverse DNS, Let's Encrypt TLS certificates, SPF/DKIM/
DMARC/DNSSEC-DANE without your domain being blacklisted at the drop of a hat, 
while you're fighting permanently against spam and intruders can soon become a 
full time occupation.  All this assumes your domestic ISP allows their 
domestic customers to run mail servers - many don't/won't.

I don't mean to discourage you, it is an interesting project to get into and 
you'll have the benefit of controlling your own server, your own data, without 
paying some Internet provider with either your data privacy, or your money.  
With low power NUC devices or a Raspberry Pi, you could run your own server at 
less cost than most hosting companies will charge you, even if you allow for 
some hardware redundancy, backups and hot/cold standby.

Alternatively, if you can find a locally owned and run ISP with motivated 
staff, it may be a good half-way compromise between Big-Tech and on-premises 
mail hosting.  Note though, a lot of smaller shops are just a front-end 
marketing effort, with outsourced back end operations run by the Big Tech.