testing email functionalities from localhost

[h0lyface]

Hi all

Is this even possible to test email functionality using localhost?

If yes,
I'd like to test
1. from BO >> Preference >> Email >> Click on "select a e-mail test"

This one, i wasnt able to do it, the picture below the email texbox keep rotating without any email being sent

2. from FO >> Contacts

I got an error "an error occurred while sending message"

3. from FO, automatically send email to administrator when an order is placed

Dont even tried it yet after the previous two failed


How do i do these things?

btw, i set the email to be sent to xxx@yahoo.com
i am testing from localhost, connected to internet, using mail() (not SMTP coz i dont know how to config it)
i have my MailAlert module active

THank you for your kind help!