From: Hartin, Brian [mailto:Brian.Hartin / pearson.com] 
> I second the question. :)

> From: mmalaidini / gmail.com [mailto:mmalaidini / gmail.com] 
> > I'd like to understand if anybody has ever written a very simple
smtp
> > server (supporting SSL authentication). I'd like to write an 
> > stmp proxy
> > for my own personal usage and I'm trying to understand where to
start.

I've never written a SMTP server, but:
  http://phrogz.net/ProgrammingRuby/lib_network.html#NetSMTP
is probably a good place to start.