Alternative email programs

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by Howard Kaikow, Sep 27, 2009.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2005
    Posts:
    2,802
    Other than Thunderbird and Outlook, what are the best email programs not shipped with Windows (2000, Vista) for use with Windows?
     
  2. Rmus

    Rmus Exploit Analyst

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2005
    Posts:
    4,020
    Location:
    California
    I'm not sure how any program could be labeled as "best" -- each person has a program that does the job they want.

    I've used Forte Agent Email/Newsreader since Win9x days, currently on both Win2K and WinXP Systems.

    ----
    rich
     
  3. LockBox

    LockBox Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2004
    Posts:
    2,328
    Location:
    Here, There and Everywhere
    I have to strongly agree with Rmus. Maybe more than any other application on your computer, your choice of an email client is chosen and personalized for your practical needs.

    My only requirement is that it support the simple mbox format for easy archiving and ability to read in 20 years.

    I've noticed that, especially in many European countries, a lot of people swear by 'The Bat!'
     
  4. Creer

    Creer Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    Posts:
    1,345
    Did you try Windows Live Mail?
     
  5. blacknight

    blacknight Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2007
    Posts:
    3,351
    Location:
    Europe, UE citizen
  6. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2005
    Posts:
    2,802
    I've been using Thunderbird for years, but it has a particular bug that pops up periodically, which makes it useless. I've described this issue in the Thunderbird forums, and applied the suggested workaround, but the problem occurs too frequently for me to further use Thunderbird.

    I'm gonna look at Opera Mail, The Bat, and Forte Agent.
    As a last resort, I'll use Outlook.
     
  7. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2005
    Posts:
    2,802
    If I were to use a non-free product, I'd use Outlook.
     
  8. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2005
    Posts:
    2,802
    As I recall, one has to register to use Windows Live Mail and deal with MSFT.
    If so, I'm not interested.
     
  9. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2005
    Posts:
    2,802
    The Wiki seems to be non-English.
     
  10. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2005
    Posts:
    2,802
    Clarification: I want free program.
     
  11. Creer

    Creer Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    Posts:
    1,345
  12. Bob D

    Bob D Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2005
    Posts:
    1,234
    Location:
    Mass., USA
    Exactly
    Are you using POP or IMAP?
    Do you need a spellckeck?
    Multiple account handling?
    Do you need a "light" program?
    Newsreader support?

    I am using or have used in the past:
    Sylpheed
    Outlook Express
    Claws Mail
    Eudora
    Thunderbird
    i Scribe
    Mulberry
    Pegasus
    Courier

    Thay all have strengths / weaknesses.
     
  13. LockBox

    LockBox Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2004
    Posts:
    2,328
    Location:
    Here, There and Everywhere
    Bingo.
     
  14. Sully

    Sully Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2005
    Posts:
    3,719
  15. Johnny123

    Johnny123 Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2006
    Posts:
    548
    Location:
    Bremen, Germany
    There's no requirement to use Hotmail, or Live Mail as it's now called. You can use it for any email account. I use it and it works very well (for me).

    You didn't specify what exactly you're interested in, pop, imap, multi-user, etc. Makes it a bit difficult for people to guess what the ideal mail client for you might be.
     
  16. LockBox

    LockBox Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2004
    Posts:
    2,328
    Location:
    Here, There and Everywhere
    Very true. It doesn't even have to be webmail. Here's a look at the desktop client:
    http://download.live.com/wlmail
     
  17. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2005
    Posts:
    2,802
    POP Mail.
    I want the Client installed on my PC.

    I want to find an alternative to Thunderbird. The following is an unacceptable, and recurring, problem.

    Mailboxes no longer bolded for unread mesaages

    I will look at Evolution for Windows if I can get answers in Evolution vs. Thunderbird.
     
  18. LockBox

    LockBox Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2004
    Posts:
    2,328
    Location:
    Here, There and Everywhere
    Try Windows Live Mail Desktop Client - info here. Maybe Yahoo's Zimbra?

    Lots of options in this thread.
     
  19. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2005
    Posts:
    2,802
    I installed Evolution.

    1. First issue was that the install completed without asking the usual questions as to whether I wanted a desktop/quick launch icon or how to include in Start menu. Rather unusual for a program of this type.

    2. So I used the Start menu to run the program. Message immediately popped up that a particuar API call could not be found. Thats AWFUL design! The installation program should be checking for the necessary libraries.

    3. Turns out the missing API function requires at least Windows XP, and I am running Windows 2000 (Vista on another 'puter, but I'm not gonna switch to Evolution unless it works in windows 2000,

    4. Note that there was needless use of the API function. Equivalent APIs are available in Windows 2000. The developers may have intentionally excluded Win 2000, for other reasons, but I know not why.

    Building Evolution on Windows says nothing about excluding Windows 2000.
     
  20. estra

    estra Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2008
    Posts:
    53
  21. nomarjr3

    nomarjr3 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2007
    Posts:
    502
    Try MailWasher.
    It has a powerful anti-spam technology.
     
  22. rolarocka

    rolarocka Guest

  23. nomarjr3

    nomarjr3 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2007
    Posts:
    502
    Another excellent open source email client is Eudora.
    It's a lot slimmer and less resource-intensive than Thunderbird.
     
  24. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2005
    Posts:
    2,802
    I used to use Eudora.
    I like Thumderbird better than Eudora.
     
  25. ellison64

    ellison64 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2003
    Posts:
    2,587
    Ive tried most and always keep coming back to becky.Never failed and easy to backup and transfer.It also has plugins that can alter the look and functions of it.Another plus is that its a one off payment and updates after that are free.
    ellison
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.