Linux Desktop Email Key to Success

littlepill writes "It looks as though email clients are vital for Linux to succeed in the desktop battle. ZDNet says, "the lack of a powerful email application could hinder the adoption of Linux on the desktop". So, even though Novell's Evolution is one viable and valid product, it seems that there is a clear "message to application vendors to focus on developing a quality email application for the Linux desktop"." I'm unconvinced- I think webmail will soon be replacing client side readers for all but power users.

Comments

Power users

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm a power user you insensitive clod!

From the article

[daeley]

Mozilla developers are already addressing this issue. The Mozilla Foundation recently published an initial roadmap for 'Lightning', the project to integrate its calendar application Sunbird with its email application Thunderbird.

Soooo, it's not so much that there's any hindering going on. And like the Magic 8 Ball, Ask Again Later.

That can't be it

[Daimaou]

Windows doesn't have a decent email client either but they seem to be doing okay on the desktop.

Evolution

[saskboy]

I got a chance to use Ximian Evolution once in a Linux computer lab several years ago at University, and I was impressed by how much better it was than Outlook Express, and felt a lot like Outlook. I'm not sure how good it is at the advanced calendar sharing that some offices seem to demand these days, but it strikes me as a worthy successor to Outlook.

Although I have a feeling it would never be too popular in Kansas.

Re:Evolution

[digitaldc]

You could probably convince Kansans to start using it, as long as you explain in detail about how it was indeed intelligently designed.

Re:An unpopular opinion

[masklinn]

What the hell do any of those things have to do with email?!

The fact that the ZDNet guys are to journalism what China is to freedom, and couldn't understand the difference between an Email client (Thunderbird, Mutt, Pine, Outlook Express) and a Groupware application/client (Outlook) to save their lives.

Re:An unpopular opinion

[generic-man]

From: generic-man
To: Seumas
Subj: Meeting tomorrow at 5?

Are you free tomorrow at 5?

Re:Pine

[cafn8ed]

It's too sappy.

Re:Why do we dance around the truth?

[ztalbot2000]

But with linux you could write your
own tools for your dental office.
It would not be any harder to do than
pulling teeth right?

HuH???

[raingrove]

Isn't E-mail only for old people? At least in Korea......

Re:Calendaring is not e-mail.

[JoeZeppy]

E-mail. You e-mail me a note suggesting a meeting at a certain time, I look at my schedule and what the meeting's about and either shoot you an acceptance and mark it on my calendar, suggest a different time or just send back a regrets-decline note. The advantage is that this works no matter which e-mail clients and calendar system each of us is using, and works when I have priorities and things on my schedule that you aren't supposed to be aware of.

That's a grand idea. wait, lets make it even better! I'll write down what times I'm available, put it in a small paper sleeve, write your name on it and wait for someone to come pick it up from me, and bring it to you! You can check off what times you have available, slip it in another sleeve, write my name on it, and send it back! Cool, huh?

Re:Calendaring is not e-mail.

[theodicey]

Calendars are an incredibly useful supplement to email. In a correctly implemented "groupware" system, they share a common purpose:

Getting users laid