Eudora is a classy e-mail client, which offers a whole set of fine features including incoming mail filters, HTML messages, spelling checking, Gmail-like labels. As I’ve come to find out, the software will go open source. Earlier versions will automatically revert to light mode (which omits certain features such as spelling checking, multiple identities, stationery, and signatures) after that date.

Next in line is the free open source version of SpamBayes, the spam filter that works with Outlook or any other sort of client software that uses the POP3 or IMAP protocols. SpamBayes uses Bayesian statistics. The only thing that seems to slip by SpamBayes with any consistency is the new generation of image-based spam. The program’s volunteer authors may address that in a forthcoming 1.1 version.

You can use SpamBayes as a proxy with any mail program (including Thunderbird and Eudora), but it also includes an Outlook plug-in that adds a couple of buttons to Outlook’s toolbar. If SpamBayes misses a spam, just select it and click on Delete as Spam.

A stand-alone e-mail client which permits users to configure and customize their inbox is: The Bat!, which provides a very professional interface for viewing and sorting messages.

Spelling dictionaries and antispam and antivirus plug-ins are all available as free downloads from the company’s Web site. The Bat! will spell-check your outgoing messages for you automatically, and digitally sign and encrypt them with the included OpenPGP security module.

Reaching the end of your fable, I must admit that no program reaches Microsoft Outlook’s professionalism, with a combination of various features, contacts and calendaring. Evolution however, is used mostly by Linux fanatics.

So what does Evolution has to offer?

Evolution’s features include must-haves like rule-based filtering and spam detection, HTML-format messages, and PGP signing and encryption.

Evolution replicates my Outlook experience, and it lets you use the same free PIM program under both Linux and Windows.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 13th, 2007 at 3:37 pm and is filed under Google methods & tools, Web Developer Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.