I asked this a year or so ago, and got some good pointers, but nothing really grabbed me.
I’m looking for a replacement for PMMail 2000, which has done me stirling service but has issues with XP (e.g. it doesn’t integrate with IE). Windows platform, and not Outlook or Outlook Express because everyone and their dog targets those with malware. Shareware, demoware, or freeware, please; I don’t mind paying but I do need to try it first. I have a mailbase of over 200,000 messages going back many years.
Well, Eudora isn’t new but it’s been my mail client of choice since about 1998. I currently use the free version of Eudora 7.
Here’s why I like it:
It’s extremely portable. I have had the same inbox file since about 1999. I still have all my mail from then to now. This same inbox (and about 7 different boxes for several different addresses) has gone on probably 12 different computers, counting each reinstall of my OS as a new computer. You just back up your entire Eudora folder to CD, install Eudora on the new machine and then copy your attachment folder, .toc and .mbx files into the new computer’s Eudora folder and Bob’s yer uncle. I recall losing many email archives when trying to reinstall Outlook. If you can’t create a backup file from Outlook (say, if your machine won’t boot) you’re screwed. If you can access the hard drive at all that your old Eudora install is on, you’re fine.
It’s free. The free version has really small unobtrusive ads. There’s an occasional nag screen that pops up maybe once a month. and that’s it.
It’s very multi-user friendly. I had three users using one machine at my house. I installed Eudora 3 times, each time to it’s own folder. I was able to put links on each user’s desktop to User1Email, User2Email, UserEmail. I remember having confusion getting Outlook to do this without “switching profiles.”
It’s got some new security features that are good. My favorite is when it alerts you to bad URLs. If you see a link that says “www.paypal.com” and the underlying URL is actually “www.paypal.com.phishingsite.com” it tells you the URLs don’t match.
It’s compatible with whatever. IE mail links will open up Eudora, and so will chat clients’ mail links.
It shows full headers by default.
It’s really configurable. I know exactly how I want it ad can make it work as such every time.
It’s not too clunky. I find Outlook to have way too many features. There’s no calendar…which I like.
It’s got built-in spellcheck now.
The only bad thing about Eudora is that people’s goofy Outlook-created mail templates and stuff usually turn up looking weird. So when granny sends out an email with a cutesy background, all in purple text with a special font and embedded animated gifs…you get a weird looking email with purple text and a couple attachments. But that’s not your problem, it’s granny’s
I use Thunderbird . It’s and excellent, free, open-source e-mail client. It’s junk mail filtering needs some improvement, but I’m sure they are working on that.
I use thunderbird as well. If it does anything beyong downloading and showing mail, I admittedly don’t know what it is but I suspect it does have all those other bells and whistles if you wanted them.
It is also free, runs fine on XP, is a quick download, and if you pair it with Firefox now you’ll get a free chance to call yourself cooler’n the average bear.
I’ve used a number of email programs over the years. Currently, I’m using Thunderbird, and I’m very happy with it. Prior to that, I used PocoMail, which is a commercial program. Prior to that, I used Eudora for a long time. I’ve also experimented with Pegasus Mail.
Like you, I’ve always avoided Outlook and Outlook Express like the plague for their security issues.
Of the ones I’ve used, I’d say Thunderbird, PocoMail, and Pegasus are all very safe email clients…
Just a note on Thunderbird which might not effect anyone else. If I try to send a picture to my phone I can never view it. I get an ‘Incomplete message’ error. Using Outlook Express, though, I have no problem.
Tmobile, Samsung T309.
Tmobile checked it out but couldn’t find anything specific.
I knkow I’m about two weeks late to the party, but I have to say, Thunderbird is great. It’s the program that finally caused me to switch from Eudora after 8 years of use. It’s easily as good as Eudora, with good mail filtering, logical use, and it’s free!
I assume you are talking about Spam filtering, correct? If so, Thunderbird has excellent filtering. I rarely get a piece of spam in my inbox and I almost never have a real e-mail placed in the junk folder.
