Evolution for Windows

[Geoff]

Download the win32 installer here:

 

http://shellter.sourceforge.net/evolution/

 

Evolution is an incredibly versatile email/calendar/PIM that took the Linux world by storm a few years ago. It has been called an 'Outlook replacement' by every tech site from ZDNet to InfoWorld. Evolution played a major role in allowing the Linux desktop to move into the enterprise by giving being able to connect to Microsoft Exchange Server and schedule/accept Microsoft Outlook Meetings.

 

Here's a screenshot of how it handles meeting invitations sent by Outlook.

[pete]

Cool, that knocks the "but I need Outlook" argument out of the water. Not that it needs to given the cost of Office 2003 x 300 machines.

[Geoff]

You'll still need Exchange CAL's though. But you could always replace Exchange with Zimbra or Scalix.

[Ric_]

Given that an Exchange CAL allows you to use Outlook, it's more of a solution for cross-platform environments where you want a consistent look/feel. It would also help with the transition to an open source solution.

[Geoff]

Client access licenses are licensed on a per-user or per-device basis. They are "access licenses", not software application licenses. There is no requirement to actually use Microsoft software to access the Exchange server, but the access itself is licensed. Even if you use Outlook Web Access you still have to have a device or user CAL for Exchange.

 

The question of licensing Outlook or Office is completely separate.

[Ric_]

Client access licenses are licensed on a per-user or per-device basis. They are "access licenses", not software application licenses. There is no requirement to actually use Microsoft software to access the Exchange server, but the access itself is licensed. Even if you use Outlook Web Access you still have to have a device or user CAL for Exchange.

 

The question of licensing Outlook or Office is completely separate.

 

I don't disagree... just dsaying that if your users want to use Outlook, they can regardless of whether or not you have an Office license - the CAL also licenses Outlook to the user/device.

 

In a cross-platform environment(e.g. Windows, Mac and Linux) where you may want a consistent approach, you could simply purchase the CALs and use Evolution on all three OSs - rather than Outlook, Entouage and Evolution (since MS never bothered writing an Exchange client for Linux).

[CyberNerd]

Anyone get this working?, Its fine on linux with exchange, but in windows I'm getting:

 

Error while Scanning folders in "Exchange server EXCHANGE".

Count not read file 'C:\DOCUME~1\user\LOCALS~1\Temp/.exchange-user/user@EXCHANGE': Failed to open file 'C:\DOCUME~1\user\LOCALS~1\Temp/.exchange-user/user@EXCHANGE': No such file or directory

 

The file doesn't exist - think they may have the \Temp/ slashes the wrong way.

 

IMAP works, as does Zimbra.

 

is this a fork? http://evolution-win32.sourceforge.net/download.php

[pete]

@Geoff,

Our exchange server's getting kicked to the kerb - more faff than it's worth. Evolution would provide an "Outlook-like" client to those people who need it.

[Geoff]

Our exchange server's getting kicked to the kerb - more faff than it's worth.

 

Are you replacing it's funcitonality with anything else? Or do you just need email?

[pete]

@Geoff

while not having a mailserver would cut down on the "bullying via email" investigations I have to do......

 

We don't need an "exchange replacement", we need webmail + email + calendar (I have 5 SMT Outlook users). Last time I tried Hula was a bit flaky, so I'm currently deciding between (deep breath) zimbra, scalix, horde, or a vanilla qmail/squirrelmail (based on qmailrocks.org). My mail host uses Horde and I really like it as an end-user, but it can be a sod to setup and troubleshoot.

 

We have to have the option to use a "lite" webmail client for staff and kids still on dial-up, hence Squirrelmail and whatever we choose has to use SSL (for login at least).

[webman]

We use a plain postfix email server with squirrelmail interface at the moment but some users use Outlook +/- Express. With the Microsoft sponsorship tied in with our new Specialist Status it looks as if we're going down the MS Exchange 2003 route, unfortunately :S

[CyberNerd]

With the Microsoft sponsorship tied in with our new Specialist Status it looks as if we're going down the MS Exchange 2003 route, unfortunately :S

 

well, at least MS will come and fix it

[webman]

Ha... yeah, if they could do that why is it broken out-of-the-box?