development.rb

# this file here matches the environment called 'development' 
# where local development takes place
# my understanding here is that values in more specific environment 
# config files like this should override the shared 'environment.rb' config file


# this sets the path, so in messages, we can link to the correct 
# environment, instead of linking to the production site in every case:

config.action_mailer.default_url_options = { :host => "developmentdomain.net" }

# this is listed here so when we're sending from the development site, it 
# looks like we're sending from that site. In theory this should override the 
# ActionMailer:Base.smtp_settings hash in the shared environments.rb file

ActionMailer::Base.smtp_settings = {
  :domain         => 'developmentdomain.net'
}

# however, when open up the debugger, and the email 
# ActionMailer::Base.smtp_settings[:domain] will be 
# listed as 'productiondomain.net'

# What's going on here?

environment.rb

# this is the main environment.rb in the rails root config directory


ActionMailer::Base.smtp_settings = {
  :address        => 'smtp.hostingcompany.com',
  :port           => 25,
  :domain         => 'productiondomain.net',
  :authentication => :login,
  :user_name      => "productiondomainmailer",
  :password       => "TOP_SEKRIT"
}