OE Classic discussions and updates

New version of OEC PRO v4.9.0. released:

[2024-04-07] Copy and Paste selected messages from the Message List (can be pasted to new message as .EML file, File Explorer, or any other program supporting standard file paste functionality)

OEC's Facebook page provides more details:

Spoiler

Copy and Paste selected messages from the Message List (can be pasted to new message as .EML file, File Explorer, or any other program supporting standard file paste functionality)
You can now copy messages from the "Message List" as .EML files. Just highlight a few of them and from the "Edit" menu choose the "Copy" option (or press CTRL+C). These copied messages can then be pasted into email messages under composition as .EML file attachments (just like any other file attachments), but also you can paste them outside of OE Classic, such as in File Explorer, in Windows desktop, in another file management program and so on. This makes it possible to export messages out of OE Classic, for example not the entire folder but only a few selected messages, which should make management of messages much easier. Up until now, it was only possible to drag and drop messages into OE Classic folders but now it is possible to copy and paste them out of the program as well.
The "Copy" function is now context dependent. Previously, highlighting a message and using the "Copy" function would copy the message text. This functionality still exists but only if you highlight the "Preview Pane" (and use the Copy option). So in short, if the "Message List" is highlighted then "Copy" will copy the selected messages as .EML files, and if the "Preview Pane" is highlighted then currently displayed message text will be copied instead.

Forward as Attachment in the main window and the Search window
It is now possible to forward messages as attached .EML files. To "Forward as Attachment", please select one or more messages in the main window message list, or in the "Find/Search" window message list. Then, right-click the messages and choose "Forward as Attachment". A new email will be created with the .EML files being attached as expected.
Also, if you select a single message and click the "Forward" button, it will forward that message as before (as inline text). But if you multi-select messages then the same button automatically invokes "Forward as Attachment", so the messages are attached instead. So using "Forward as Attachment" as a menu item is only required if you want to forward exactly one message as an attachment, otherwise the "Forward" button will suffice in that functionality.
If you forget to add some messages initially when choosing the "Forward as Attachment" function, you can also use the above Copy and Paste functionality to add more messages into the message you are already creating.

 

OE Classic Pro 4.9.1 released - 02 May 2024

[+] [2024-05-02] Added message duplication (copying messages to the same folder)
[+] [2024-05-02] Improved displayed folder message list update after a copy/move operation to preserve existing selection

 

From OEC's Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/oeclassic ):

"Recently, Microsoft has announced that they will be discontinuing the support for "Basic authentication" and that they will only allow applications using "Modern Authentication" to access their platform"

Below the full story from OEC's Facebook page:

Spoiler

Recently, Microsoft has announced that they will be discontinuing the support for "Basic authentication" and that they will only allow applications using "Modern Authentication" to access their platform (which is considered more secure) which includes Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, Live.com, MSN.com and other national domains like Outlook.de, Outlook.fr and so on. Certain email services are also based on "Microsoft" accounts as well.
This of course means that some older email applications will stop working completely when they disable the support for the "Basic authentication".
However, OE Classic already supports what they call the "Modern Authentication" for over 2 years now. In OE Classic we simply call it "Microsoft" account or sometimes "OAUTH2" in our support (an umbrella term for all such accounts).
While you can do this right away or when the change comes, you can simply run the account wizard (main menu » Tools » Accounts » Add...) and from the initial Account Wizard window select the "Microsoft" option.
The wizard then asks you if you want to add an IMAP or a POP account, and after clicking "Next" it opens web browser for you to log in. After successful log in, you return back to OE Classic and click "Finish" to add the account.
We have described this in a video, which is linked below:
Please follow the guide as explained in this video tutorial:
https://youtu.be/Cp9rHoWAKBw

The video shows the older icon named "Outlook/Microsoft" but the process remains the same. In the most recent versions of OE Classic it is only called "Microsoft". However the rest of the authentication flow is the same and shown in the video.
If you don't already have the latest version of OE Classic which supports this, you can update as usual using the built-in updater (main menu » Help » Check for updates) or from our "User" web page - https://www.oeclassic.com/user

 

Up to now there haven't been more updates for OE Classic. But there have been a number of improvements on the website of OE Classic. You have to visit the OEC's Facebook page to see what those changes are.
https://www.facebook.com/oeclassic

 

It is now almost 5 months ago since the latest release ( on 02 May 2024 ).

Nothing new, nothing to improve?

Is this project dead and abonded?

What is happening?

And no, simply pointing to Facebook is not enough. If there is news there, then quote it fully!!

 

"Project Dead and Abandoned" ? Very good question and I don't have a good answer. When I "dig deeper" on the OEC's Facebook page then the information over there doesn't provide any clues either. OEC's website is still "alive and kicking" and OEC's Facebook page is still current. Although some information is a bit curious, could raise some "red flags".

Perhaps the deveolopers are busy with something (large ??) updates/improvements that require LOTS of changes to the program code ? My guess is as good as anyone else's guess.

The following text was taken from Facebook:

Spoiler

July 20, 2024


Some email providers like Plusnet use complicated emails assignments. In the latest update of Auto-Config (on our server) we have added support for those assignments as well.

Auto-Config is the built-in feature in OE Classic to automatically suggest correct server names (POP, IMAP, SMTP) and other settings (ports, usernames) so you don't have to guess them. It works for hundreds of email providers. We take the reference values from the email providers' web pages directly.

One specific problem with Plusnet used to be that they issue emails in the non-standard form such as name1@name2.plus.net - which made it complicated for our previous Auto-Config to figure out what the settings are as most other systems just use the domain name (after the @ character) as a reference to what the email server is, and to suggest correct settings based on that.

This new server update takes into account the exceptions like this one as well, so OE Classic will be able to figure out correct server names, even for such odd email addresses. For the moment we only have Plusnet added into this new system but if we find other odd looking email addresses we can easily add those as well now.

Auto Config can be easily used from OE Classic as shown on the provided screenshot with this post.

No update of OE Classic is required to use this feature. This feature is server-based so OE Classic already works with the new server feature and it will already receive correct settings automatically if you request Auto-Config for such email addresses.

July 10, 2024

Here's an update on the recent certifications we added to increase OE Classic's security and user trust. ??

1) Code Signing Certificates

Initially, OE Classic lacked code signing, leaving its files unverified and raising trust issues. To address this, we first used Organization Validation (OV) certificates. OV certificates require multiple installations to gain trust, showing an "unverified" window initially.

To improve user confidence, we now use Extended Validation (EV) certificates, which instantly show a "verified" status in Windows, enhancing trust from the start. Although obtaining EV certificates is the most expensive option, we consider it a vital investment.

Using EV certificates reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of trust and quality in OE Classic.

2) Google’s OAuth Verification (Security Reassessment) ?

Google's new security reassessment requires annual reviews for apps accessing Google accounts and resources like emails and contacts. OE Classic satisfies high-quality standards, so we’ve passed this assessment with flying colors, even though the process itself was painfully slow and expensive. This process was completed in July 2024 and also earlier in July 2022.

We’ve undergone a similar process with Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL, all of which are supported by OE Classic.

These processes are demanding and costly but necessary to maintain the highest trust and quality standards for OE Classic.

3) The MyCommerce Due Diligence Form on Anti-Money Laundering and Other Regulations ?

MyCommerce is our payment provider. While this process was free (with the cost only being our time away from software development), it also required us to undergo a certain identity verification process on our behalf and complete the process.

4) Google’s Advertiser Verification ?

Again, this is one of the requirements where we had to undergo a verification process in order to remain a verified advertiser on Google.

5) Implementation of Trustworthy Newsletter and Other Sender Policies Such as DKIM, DMARC, and SPF ?

When we send our newsletter notifications, we follow strict regulations that define how emails are formatted and always include “unsubscribe” links in the advertising materials to comply with all applicable laws.

All of the above reveals a lot of our privacy, and the processes frequently include certain costs. However, to build quality software, we’re still going through these.
All of this was done to ensure your privacy ? . OE Classic keeps your data private on your own device and ensures it does not go into a cloud or to advertisers. Certain companies have been upgrading their products with telemetry and forcing users to upgrade to gather more information on the users. OE Classic doesn’t employ such methods, especially if you use POP accounts and store your data as files on your own device.

June 24, 2024

Introducing OE Classic: Your Secure Email Solution
- Modern Authentication: OE Classic seamlessly supports “Modern Authentication” with major providers like Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL, as well as classic email accounts.
- Cutting-Edge Security: Our network communication relies on high-grade encryption (TLS 1.3 + OAUTH2) for your peace of mind.
- Enhanced Email Display: Experience emails like never before! Our fast and secure WebView2 engine (powered by Edge Chromium) ensures crisp, well-formatted content. Say goodbye to broken layouts and hello to clarity.
- Robust Threat Protection: OE Classic blocks spam images, prevents ActiveX execution, and shields against email-based malware. Your inbox stays safe.
- Smooth Transition: Even if your email provider has tightened security, OE Classic bridges the gap. Our video guides make the switch hassle-free, ensuring uninterrupted communication.
Upgrade to OE Classic today for a safer, smoother email experience!

 

Thank you @Willy2

All that time, effort and money which they did spend on it (as described in your quotes) gives me more hope and trust!

Thanks again @Willy2 for taking the time to post it here!

Edit:
May I ask you about "could raise some "red flags"" ?
What have you in particular in mind (if I may ask)?

 

They seem to have spend A LOT OF money for things I don't see how these would benefit the usage of OEC.

 

OEC's Facebook uses one or more times the word "trust".

 

For example (as far as I understood) the improved certificate. I guess that users benefit from that.

 

Does anyone know of a way to disable the automatic signature that OEC puts on all my emails advertising their product? I'm using this as my company email client and it is really unprofessional to have that on there.

 

@varrius:

Buy the "Paid for" version. Then for an annual license fee the advertisements will be gone. The "Paid For" version also has a number of advantages. E.g. you will able to use "Identities" that will allow multiple users to use the same program. When th e users have problems then the "Paid For" version will have priority when it comes to support from the developers. Your suggestions for improvements for the program will also be given "Top priority".

 

- OEC also could be working on a BIG improvement that needs A LOT OF coding. There is still - at least - one (BIG) thing that needs to be implemented (No, no details).

 

Hi @Willy2

I had asked Zvonko some question about the situation.
I received a long email from Zvonko explaining it.

Although Zvonko wrote me that the info given was public (Copy/Paste from Facebook page) I feel a bit reluctant to quote: it is not done to quote from private email.
I don't use Facebook, but if you would like to quote from the OEC page at FB, then please! Please, I'm kindly asking you!

And yes, Zvonko is aware of the discussion in this thread here.

 

If nobody is willing to post here the info from FB, then I will quote Zvonko from the email. And no, I don't use FB, and I refuse to use it.

There will be updates coming.

As I wrote already, I am very unwilling to quote from email. But if nobody here is willing to quote from FB, then I have to do it in this way.
But let me be very clear: be assured that I will not forget this!!!

 

@FanJ :
- I had some problems that only could be fixed with a new reinstall of Windows. I do a reinstall about every year even without some serious problems. This also has the advantage of removing A LOT OF leftovers and starting with a clean Windows registry. That's why I had a number of installation problems and missed out the email notification from this website.
- Zvonko Tesic replied a few times at the beginning of this topic/thread. So, he receives a notification for each new post in this thread. I also noticed that he fixed one bug in OEC as a result of a previous post in this thread. Another sign that he regularly reads this thread.
- I have heard some (financial) horror stories about FB (as well) and that's why I deliberately gave false details about myself. Facebook thinks that I died before I was born and that I live in Argentina (I don't). LOL.
- I think I am responsible for one new subscription to OEC in the previous months of this year.

Here the information directly taken from OEC's Facebookpage about the latest developments with OEC:

Spoiler

Date: October 6, 2024 ·

Update: We've been approved by one of the 3 payment providers we've signed up to, so the new payment links will likely be online by tomorrow.
You may have noticed a long pause between updates and the inability to purchase OE Classic Pro. We are releasing this public statement to explain what’s going on and to assure you that we’re doing well.
First and foremost, rest assured that we are all fine and OE Classic is still being actively developed. In fact, a new update is just https://www.oeclassic.com/order) is currently only accepting email submissions. If you leave your email, it will be recorded in our database so we can notify you when normal sales operations are restored with a different payment provider. If you’re interested in purchasing or renewing an OE Classic Pro license, please leave your email there, and we will notify you when it becomes available.
In the meantime, we are still responding to support requests, though there may be some delays, and we are continuing our work on OE Classic. We hope to share good news next week when we switch to a new payment provider and receive approval. For us, this is just a bump in the road and certainly not the end.
We are grateful for your support of OE Classic and our ongoing work, and for that, we thank you!
==============================================================================================================

Date: october 8, 2024

Good news!
The switch to the new and more reliable payment provider is fully completed and the new links are now active.
You can now purchase OE Classic Pro again on:
https://www.oeclassic.com/order
Also, the new update of OE Classic will follow soon as well, as now we can finally return our operations back to normal.

 

OK, thanks @Willy2

In the meanwhile there is a new update on 19 Oct 2024 : OE Classic 4.9.2

[+] [2024-10-19] Find/Search is now available for IMAP accounts and folders (search by message content only available if message is fully downloaded)
[b] [2024-10-19] Attached .EML files are encoded as "message/rfc822" content type (used to be "application/octet-stream") which helps some third party email apps to properly show them

 

- "[ Plain]" & "[/ plain]" are only needed with a HTML link.
- "Find & Search" in IMAP accounts was indeed the one thing that was missing / sorely needed in the IMAP programcode.
- The problem with reporting suggestions and improvements is that the most pressing issues show up first and are adressed/fixed first. As more issues are being fixed more bugs show up that are increasingly "buried" deeper and deeper in the program code. These bugs do have a lower and lower priority than previous bugs/improvements. And I am sure there are more such smaller bugs that need to be adressed in future versions.
- Yes, the "Search" feature for an IMAP accounts works.
- Perhaps OEC needs an option called "Download all messages" for all IMAP accounts ? Then all / more IMAP features work better.
- Let me put it this way: Improvements / upgrades for the IMAP accounts are still very welcome.

 

24 Oct 2024
Something strange happened.
I just was noticed by OEC that there was a new update. So I let it update.
But the version number is still the same as the one on 19 Oct 2024 : OE Classic 4.9.2
And the ReadMe file (with change info) is also the same.

Let's look at https://www.oeclassic.com/news

I don't understand it.
So, what happened? A hickup on their part, or?

 

The text that is hidden by the "spoiler" button was taken from OEC's Facebook page. There is no word about what has changed in the latest update (issued on 2024-10-24). The only change I noticed was that the file "OEClassic.exe" a few kilobytes larger was.

Perhaps there will be a (small and ) noticable change in the behaviour that shows up in the next few days and is worth reporting. We´ll have to wait and see.

Spoiler

OE Classic 4.9.2 (2024-10-19)
NEW FEATURES
[2024-10-19] Find/Search is now available for IMAP accounts and folders (search by message content only available if message is fully downloaded)
In previous versions, the Find/Search feature was limited to Local Folders. From this version onwards, messages in IMAP folders or accounts can also be searched. However, since IMAP messages don't always need to be downloaded, searching the "Message" field will only show downloaded messages. To search the body content of IMAP messages, ensure they don't have the "cloud" icon.

BUG FIXES
[2024-10-19] Attached .EML files are encoded as "message/rfc822" content type (used to be "application/octet-stream") which helps some third party email apps to properly show them
Some other email apps prevent opening .EML attachments if the content type isn't "message/rfc822". This change will make OE Classic more compatible with these email clients.

 

Zvonko via email:
"A minor issue was noticed in the previously released update of OE Classic 4.9.2
(2024-10-19) where the "Search" tool didn't work as expected. The problem is
already corrected and the updated version was released - 4.9.2 (2024-10-24). If
you have by chance already updated to the 2024-10-19 version, then simply update
again, to fetch the new version. The version number remains the same, just the
date of the release has changed. We also did a small search performance
improvement in the latest release."

 

New Outlook Express Classic version available (v4.9.3).

Ouote from the file "Readme.txt" ( in italics):

New feature:
[2024-10-30] The Address Book now fetches all Google Contacts, whereas previously only 100 contacts were synced.

Bug fix:
[2024-11-01] Resolved at least 13 known issues (and possibly even more) occurring when starting the program after it was previously minimized to the system tray

When the user chose to minimize the program to the system tray then after a some time the program started to change its behaviour in multple ways and NOT for the better. Then only a re-start of the program would help the program to behave normally again. That's why I unchecked the option "Minimize to tray". But now these bugs have been fixed and the user can use that option ("Mnimize to tray") again.

 

- People who are curious what the changes are in a new version of OEC and "don't like" to visit Facebook also can visit https://www.oeclassic.com/release-notes instead to read what the changes are for this and previous versions. Although I am not quite sure if the information provided over there are the same as the information on Facebook.
- Received an email from one of the developers of OEC with additional information. I assume that all the users who reported these bugs related to this "system tray icon" issue received this email. In that email there was some additional information that wasn't shared on the webpage of the "Release Notes" (See the text below in italics).

Quote:

Also recommended:

• If you've been running OE Classic for a while, it is recommended to occasionally compact databases to ensure smooth program functionality. This can be easily done in the main menu » File » Folder » Compact All. For smooth program operation, it is recommended to compact at least once per month. In its operation, it is similar to defragmenting a disk drive.
• If you've missed it, OE Classic now supports Edge Chromium browser engine (based on the "Chromium" engine, the same one used by Google Chrome web browser). This improves display quality of incoming emails significantly - read more info as well as requirements on our Release Notes page at - https://www.oeclassic.com/release-notes_n18

 

Thanks very much @Willy2 !!

PS:
Yes, I noticed it too about the Release Notes. Very glad that they give there now more info

 

- I made a video of all the bugs that would show up in the GUI of the program once this "system tray icon" problem / bug kicked in and sent the video to the developers of OEC. I identified in that video - at least - 8 of all the 13 bugs that are mentioned on https://www.oeclassic.com/release-notes
- I must say that indeed none of these "odd behaviour" bugs have shown up anymore. I also did not test the program code that extensively. So, I still have my fingers crossed (a little bit).
- The "Release notes" webpage gives all the (major) changes going back to OEC v3.2.75 (october 8, 2022).