Open Source Microsoft Exchange Replacements?

Carl Farrington asks: "Do you think you could try to raise public awareness of the importance for an open source replacement for Microsoft Exchange (Outlook/MAPI compatible for shared/public folders). Current offerings are SuSE Linux Groupware Server, Communigate Pro (Stalker Software), Samsung Contact (ex. HP OpenMail) all of which are not open source / free. Kroupware is in development, but there will be no Outlook Connector for it. otlkcon is in slow development as a possible connector for Kroupware. There is also OSER (Open Source Exchange Replacement) which again looks like it needs more help. Is there any chance of getting some people to back this stuff? It's so important and is probably the major problem facing Linux as viable replacements for Win2000 servers." While this seems to be a question that keeps popping up in one form or another, it's always worthwhile to come back and point out alternatives, in development, that might need your help to get off the ground and running. So, if you're looking for an alternative to Exchange, would you be willing to contribute some time to one of the projects listed above? If you've been using Unix as an Exchange replacement, what did you do and how well has it been working?

Comments

*Raises Hand*

[RaisinBread]

I'm semi-qualified. . .

• Knows PHP (not a pro, but decent).
• Knows mySQL (again, decent).
• Graphic Design Skills.
• Holds a fair chunk of contempt for MS and their sub-standard software.

We can post a bunch of really great ideas and cute comments here . . . but I thought the idea was to assemble a team!

I'm not a super-hacker OSS dude, but I'll contribute if someone (who is really qualified) gets something together.

Count me in!

Re:Communigate

[Jellybob]

Intellimouse... no. I much prefer the Logitech cordless optical sat on my desk, which fits in the hand perfectly.

However the MS natural keyboard, now *that's* a piece of hardware. I'm sure I'll get bombarded with comments about how it only deals with one ergonomic feature, when it shoud deal with 42 and a half, but I like it, and other people can type on it without too much trouble.

Re:Communigate

[Mikeytsi]

I was a fan of the strategic commander myself, it was great for playing Alice once I got everything mapped the way I wanted it. I've still got it, I just haven't had a real compelling reason to plug it back in lately. (Although I should see if I can hot-key a bunch of Starcraft things to it,....)