+## sending mail using smtpmail
+
+<!-- By default message mode will use the system `sendmail` command to send
+mail. However, on a typical desktop machine there may not be local SMTP
+daemon running (nor it is configured to send mail outside of the system). -->
+
+If setting up local `sendmail` or `msmtp` is not feasible or desirable,
+the Emacs `smtpmail` package can be used to send email by talking to remote
+SMTP server via TCP connection. It is pretty easy to configure:
+
+1. Emacs variable `message-send-mail-function` has not been set
+
+ Initially, Emacs variable `message-send-mail-function` has value of
+ `sendmail-query-once`. When (notmuch) message mode is about to send email,
+ `sendmail-query-once` will ask how emacs should send email. Typing `smtp`
+ will configure `smtpmail` and Emacs may prompt for SMTP settings.
+
+1. `M-x customize-group RET smtpmail`
+
+ As a minimum, 'Smtpmail Smtp Server' needs to be set.
+
+ After doing that, continue with `M-x load-library RET message` and
+ `M-x customize-variable RET message-send-mail-function`.
+ In the customization buffer select `message-smtpmail-send-it`.
+
+1. Set some variables in .emacs or in [notmuch init file](/notmuch-emacs#notmuch_init_file)
+
+ (setq smtpmail-smtp-server "smtp.server.tld" ;; <-- edit this !!!
+ ;; smtpmail-smtp-service 25 ;; 25 is default -- uncomment and edit if needed
+ ;; smtpmail-stream-type 'starttls
+ ;; smtpmail-debug-info t
+ ;; smtpmail-debug-verb t
+ message-send-mail-function 'message-smtpmail-send-it)
+
+Note that emacs 24 or newer is required for `smtpmail-stream-type`
+(and smtp authentication) to be effective.
+
+More information for smtpmail is available:
+
+* In Emacs: `M-x info-display-manual smtpmail`
+* [EmacsWiki Page](http://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/SendingMail)
+
+