Web Based Email

[saundersmatt]

I'm wondering who you guys use to provide web based e-mail in your schools, i've been asked to evaluate a few providers for tomorrow and googling around i can't find any suitable providers.

Frankly, i'm not intrested in using webmail as i've already set up an internal postfix email server but the man with the money won't splash out on an internet connection which will allow it to be used externally.

I just need to write a list and discredit them all i.e. the more expensive and useless your provider, the better.

FYI we currently use RM Easymail plus and it is the PANTS.

Matt

[webman]

Custom linux box with squirrelmail (admin users prefer outlook/outlook express though). You might like to use RoundCube though for a more up-to-date interface for modern javascript-enabled browsers.

I recently looked at moving to Zimbra for the collaboration (now they tell me they want all that... ) but the future is uncertain due to a county-wide VLE with exchange.

[CyberNerd]

my vote for zimbra -web2.0 interface
http://www.zimbra.com/
Really easy to set up, hasn't given any problems - does all the pop/imap stuff as well, plugs into AD, - hooks into outlook (if you pay)

[saundersmatt]

Cheers for your input so far, but you seem to be missing the point. I'm aware of what i could run on a server in house or a dedicated box, that is my preferred solution.

However, i need names of some suppliers that will provide a hosted webmail solution in order that i can pick holes in their offerings and make the in house solution shine through.

Thanks again.

Matt

[webman]

What about the solutions offered by your LEA and/or ISP?

Google also offer a hosted solution - free for under 25 accounts, but at a per-user cost thereafter.

[saundersmatt]

What about the solutions offered by your LEA and/or ISP?

You're having a laugh aren't you? They're useless.

Talking of which i just got a phone call from the head of IT Development Services at the LEA, asking why we'd requested a quote for an internet connection from NTL. What's that all about?

I'll have a look at google, never thought of that.

Matt

[GrumbleDook]

We presently have our connection with NTL but are in mid-migration to the EMBC ... being held up due to the lack of available down time to finish the switch.

Ashok is fully NTL and has a good service, but most things are done in-house IIRC.

[mrforgetful]

Don't forget the privacy issues.

[webman]

What privacy issues?

[mrforgetful]

I don't know. I'm just not convinced about using an external host to store sensitive information.
For instance (and I am aware it's different for the business accounts) Google's ad based offering.

I know most people will think there's no problem, but I'm not convinced things should be held on a third parties system when it comes to data.

[webman]

Ahh.. thought you were one of these Google conspiracy people

I agree though - that's why we run our own email so we have control over it, it works when our internet is down and it integrates with the domain = one login account

[Ravening_Wolf]

Our school uses the laughably poor 1and1.co.uk. They are probably cheap, but total cr4p to go with it...

[Sylv3r]

http://atmail.com/

I've looked at this a few times, and will probably move over to it from our LEA provided e-mail accounts in the future.

[john]

@Sylv3r, that looks a lot like Scalix the new North Yorks webmail thingy (Which I will add is not that brill, seems VERY slow )

[CyberNerd]

@John
Scalix, @mail, Zimbra are all ajax based, so once its downloaded the speed is due to the client (clearly time loading the client is server/bandwidth side). I've more experience with Zimbra where forum members have noted specific problems with IE and speed for ajax clients (zimbra) FF2=FF1>IE7>>IE6
Sadly opera isn't supported.
http://www.zimbra.com/blog/archives/...2_vs_ie_1.html

Also Zimbra allows html mode, speeding things up quite a bit.