Testing mailalerts without placing an order?

[User1234567891]

I wonder if it is possible to test the mailalerts email without placing an actual order.

 

of course I can view the email in html, but this is not the same as with an email client.

 

I have made some alterations the order_conf.html and instead of backing up the whole shop on a testserver to test it, I wonder whether there is an easier, faster way.

 

Thanks!

[Rhapsody]

Here is what I do

1. take the shop offline
   
2. Backup the database (Tools, DB Backup)
   
3. Add my IP address in the maintenance IP
   
4. Go to the front page and create a test order with my own test account email. I use pay by check so I don't need to enable the PayPal sandbox.
   
5. When completed testing, restore the database and enable the shop