This post was inspired by Shaye's response on the "persistence" thread below.

Just about every email service has a facility that lets you leave an "on vacation" message.  All arriving email gets an autoresponse with your message, something like "I'm on vacation.  Please contact me after [return date here]".  Or whatever else you care to say.

It's easy to do and could save you from pissing off potential clients and possibly from an overflowing mailbox.

The link is to Yahoo Mail help just for an example of how it's done.

unless you what? Are networked? Something..
Unlike my Outlook I had at work where I could.

Usually you still can if you use inbox rules in outlook or outlook express. You write a rule that replies with your out of office message.

The problem with out of office messages is that if you respond to SPAM, sometimes it triggers WAY MORE SPAM.

Like it matters?

These days with spamming worm programs weaving their way around the Inet ....

I have an e--ddress that I set up and HAVE NEVER USED!

Starting a month ago it has been recieving 15-20 iterations of the same Vicadan advert and  multiple hits of some thing about Jenna Jameson [sic].  Can't wait until the 52 PAris Hilton messages find it. :-P

I'm getting CTS in my thumb just from hitting the damn delet button over and over and over and over and over ...........

The Out of Office reply only works if you are using Outlook in a setup where it is pulling messages off an Exchange Server.  This isn't done much in a home environment, but usually in a corporate setting.

Using rules will only work if you leave Outlook running all the time.  I leave my computer running 24/7, but even I shut it down when I'm going away from home for an extended lenght (such as a vacation for a few days).

Just think of all the spam you get - and with automatic replies using a "Respond to all messages" rule, you are verifying that address to the spammers.

...it is clear that a number of providers need to find someone with a bit of computer savvy...all the problems iterated such as spam mail, server settings, etc., are all easily resolved.  I have seen some pretty sophistacated computer/email set-ups out there by some providers and I am sure there are providers and/or hobbyists that can help...maybe TER can set up a tech site for providers?  Just a thought.