| 4. What options are allowed? |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Ability to bring in previous Netscape Messenger profiles. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
NS does support use of its own profiles, of course. It does have various problems for users with limited access rights, but we know how to make it work. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
typical, compact, custom |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Does not seem to have an install option to place user data within user profile area, unless I missed it somehow. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The only options given have to do with what will be loaded in the custon installation, i.e., documentation, plugins, et cetera |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
current default docs location is not Mac OS X standard, but can be changed with 1 switch |
| |
| Additional comments on installation. |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
Drag & drop method for installing Office for X, of which Entourage X is a component. (Or run the installer and accept the default location, Applications directory.) |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
-restricted user access-
Using Mulberry depends on user access rights and permissions concerning the creation of preference files. If you log in as restricted user. Create a preference file and modify the mulberry shortcut. A user can successful use mulberry. Giving a "end user" win2k user level access would not allow preferences to be remembered unless they were saved and the shortcut had to point to the pref file.
-multiple users on same computer-
|
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
There is a utility to create customized installers, including desired plug-ins. I have not tested it, but it should be a big help. The lack of awareness of Win2K profiles is a bit of a concern, escpecially since it does not appear simple to separate out the files etc used to control all aspects of configuration.
|
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The installation is pretty routine stuff. |
| |
| Additional comments on configuration. |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
Standard wizard, choose either a POP or IMAP server type, but how can you change an existing account to another type afterwards? |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
Even the most beginner-level user can configure netscape. |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
The filters, although present, haven't worked properly with Mail 6.2.1. It seems there is a feature to disable them, and intermittantly different filters would be unchecked (disabled) for no apprarent reason. Still trying to figure this out...I have over 50 filters, but didn't see any filter limitation in the help file. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Has a new look for config v earlier versions, but I still find it fairly intuitive. |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Easy |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Since I only had one profile on my system, it automatically updated Netscape 6 with all my prior preferences! Very convenient! |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The average low-level user will have problems. Configuration will always be a desktop support person function. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I don't think an external editor can be selected - I couldn't find the option. Configuration does lack wizards currently. Does have a simple and an advanced mode. In Simple - it is certainly easy enough, but can't do multiple accounts etc in that mode. Like many aspects of the program, configuration is not easy - but this is in part b/c of how flexible it is - with that flexibility comes some complexity. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Simple set-ups are easily configured, although there are SO many different screens and tabs one has to go to in order to do anything beyond the rudimentary. Setting up for multiple users was a cumbersome process and not at all intuitive. I had to download the complete reference guide (260 poorly organized pages) to figure it out. |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Client configuration was about as unintuitive as imaginable. Everything is labeled in geek speak rather than using industry standard names. I'm fairly experienced in setting up software and rarely consult manuals, but was force to consult the manual for mulberry and couldn't find the answer to my questions. |
| |
| Additional comments on message creation. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Pretty straight forward. Similar functionality to earlier version of Messenger. |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I could not figure out how to set a delivery receipt or expiration date when sending a message. Wasn't sure what a stationery file was so I wasn't able to test that. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I find the editor to be functional - I had no problems with it. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
#15: I would have liked to see a more robust replace results dialog box ("found and replaced 8 occurrences of < < fluffy> > ")
#27: You can Bcc individual messages but I'm not sure if you can set this globally to get a copy of every message you send. |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Can't right click in the message creation window. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Can add words easily to the Spell Checker and download other language dictionaries. Wasn't sure what was meant by a "stationary" file--but if you mean a v-card--yes you can do that. Multiple sig files via multiple profiles. Not sure what a "precendence header" is. Can set priorities. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Hard to find the attach symbol. Not located in an obvious place. User will question whether they successfully attached a file. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
-copying/pasting-
cannot paste enriched text as enriched text. it pastes it as plain text only. even from inside the same draft message. if your draft settings are set to only type text in plain mode, once you paste something you cannot click undo. it is greyed out. if it is set to allow for enrich text then after you paste something you can undo the the paste.
-precedence header-
i was unable to discover if you can set a precedence header for priority in mulberry.
-blind cc-
under identies you can specify who you want to bcc on all of your outgoing messages by default.
-stationery files-
you can save your message drafts. and re-open them later. however it is not apparent on how to save your draft. there is no save button. if you close the draft instead of sending it. then you will be prompted to save the file. once saved this file can be open and modified like a stationary file. unlike a stationary file i could not make this saved draft act like a defualt for all new messages.
-searching for words-
cannot search backwords. no option for searching above or below this entry. so when you are done searching it will not start back at the first word it found. you have to move your cursor back to the top of the document.
-printing-
lack of a print function button
|
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Had trouble finding how to create sig in Advanced mode - help not very helpful on this - maybe I just missed it? Other things left untested were b/c I couldn't tell how to do them - they may be possible. Most editing functions work as expected and has some handy function to quote/unquote text, wrap/unwrap lines etc; but I did some strange line wrapping when viewing messages sent in Mulbery in elm. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The spell check is substandard. The default dictionary has a surprising number of omissions of pretty basic vocabulary, while containing many proper nouns I would have never thought to include. The spell check also seems to do its job in a somewhat arbitrary fashion, sometimes refusing to accept a word because it's not capitalized, even if it appears that way in the dictionary. On a couple of occasions, I was able to crash the whole system by using the "spell check on send" feature.
Another problem with spell check is that it often has problems dealing with punctuation.
Personal dictionaries can be created, but only by copying and renaming the default dictionary. It appears that in a multi-user system, the personal dictionary would have to be manually designated by the user every time s/he enters the system. There does not appear to be a way to attach a personal dictionary with an identity.
Web-enabled text features are rudimentary, at best. |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
When I tried to search for a word in a draft email, the search popup dissappeared and it didn't find the word. |
| |
| Additional comments on incoming messages. |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
It appears Mail 6.2.1 only allows forwarding as inline or an attachment--no option for quoted. Unable to bounce, redirect or resend messages. Can resend using forward--> inline and stripping out header info to appear as original test. I believe these options (except forwarding) are the same on Messenger 4.77. |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Means of included prior email less friendly. You must either turn on auto-quote or manually cut from received email and paste as quoted text. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Options for delete model for imap allow for Trash folder to be used, or for marking for deletion, or just deleting. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Couldn't find any way to bounce, but this was similar in Netscape 4.x |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Regarding #29: I could easily open a message using Word, but I first saved the message as a text file. Regarding #34 & #35: I could only see the precedence and expires headings because I had configured Mulberry to show all headers. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
-html messages-
does not view html messages well. Loses a lot of formatting.
|
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Undelete is for geting messsages back before they have been expunged.
Spell checking quoted text is stupid. It can read your messages to you! |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The only way to view an HTML message correctly is by opening it in a browser and, even then, it doesn't always work.
The only way to open a message in the word processing package is to save the message as a text file locally and open it in the word processor.
Addressing forwards to multiple users is a real pain. Even if one uses the search feature in the address book to choose multiple names, one can only create a draft... there is no way to take that list and put the addresses directly in the To: field of a message to be forwarded.
I had trouble getting the "flags" (precedence) to give me any useable information. |
| |
| Additional comments on attachments. |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Resending in Mail 6.2.1 is similar to forwarding... |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Not sure about forwarind/redirecting options for attachments - otherwise I had no problems using it for sending/receiving attachments. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
#59: spawns your word processor first
#62:note "inline" vs. "as attachment" setting, I used inline |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
When you forward a message with an attachment, you need to be careful how you send the forward if you want to include it. Doesn't include forward "Quoted" only Inline or Attachment. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
All of these functions seemed to work as expected. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
My only complaint here is that graphics embedded in a received message, such as a company logo, appear as an attachment rather than in the body of the message. When I first started using Mulberry, I was constantly opening these files because I thought someone was sending a graphic for me to look at. |
| |
| Additional comments on filtering. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
will try filtering later. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
#71 Didn't have another mail application available to test. It does indicate that it will import "settings" from Eudora. |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
The filters, although present, haven't worked properly with Mail 6.2.1. It seems there is a feature to disable them, and intermittantly different filters would be unchecked (disabled) for no apprarent reason. Still trying to figure this out...I have over 50 filters, but didn't see any filter limitation in the help file. Unable to set multiple conditions--set up multiple filters to achieve multiple conditions and priority is set where you place the filters. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I find the filter interface to be pretty intuitive - not sure how it works for non-local mail. Seem to be able to choose an AND expression or an OR, but can't have both types at once for a complex set of comparisons.
Did not test any import/export possibilities for filters. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Skipping filtering, it exists but I didn't look at it. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Filtering is very important to me as I'm subscribed to a number of lists and this version and probably my OS upgrade to XP from NT 4.0 has worked wonderfully--no blips this time--all previous filters appear to be working and new filters work fine. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
having tried filtering yet. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Once you get the hang of it (e.g. triggers vs rules etc) - the filtering functions seem easy enough to use - but I didn't find options to do things like change color of item in the mailbox index etc , which I know some people like to do. I did not test any import/export functions for filters - not sure we can hope for that.
Can do AND and OR filters. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Filtering seems to work sporadically. And I've been unable to remove deleted "rules" from the pull-down menu. |
| |
| Additional comments on addressbooks. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Able to easily set up the Penn LDAP server properly once I figured out what Base DN meant--asked for name(just named it Penn OnLine), Hostname (used directory.upenn.edu), Base DN: (used ou=People, o=upenn.edu). Imported prior 4.77 address book and new feature "Collected Addresses" are added for Mail 6.2.1. Able to limit these to any amount and able to limit return hits. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I found that the addressing system worked very well during my testing. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Skipping Address Books. |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Easily moved contacts from Outlook to Messenger. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I could not get the Penn LDAP server to work this time altho I think I did get it to work in my prior testing...I think it's just the Base DN settings that I may not have correct--so this will need to be documented. |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I couldn't get LDAP to work |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
-address book-
you can add names to the address book with out copy/paste if you have your address book opened.
-Importing/exporting address books-
You have to have the address book opened and brought to the front. Imports/exports addresses from/to Eudora as long as you know the address book file name. Same with most of the other programs, you have to know the file name of the address book. Mulberry should automatically find the address book once you choose the program to import/export from/to.
-sharing address book-
you can share your address book by copying the file to someone else’s mulberry directory.
|
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Can drag message to address book to have sender added. I found the address book manager and LDAP etc config to be less than intuitive, but functional. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The only way to get an address from the Public Directory was by opening the address book and doing a search.
Was unable to test system limits on addresses to be displayed because of how small my personal address book is. One can CERTAINLY overwhelm the LDAP search if one tries.
Addresses can be easily added to the address book without retyping or pasting ONLY if that address book is open at the time. |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I got an ldap message, 'size limit exceeded' when attempting to look up addresses in the ldap server. I know there was only 1 email address which matched the criteria I entered. |
| User 18 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
import/export functionality on address books has to done thru csv file conversion. O.K. with me, but users won't like it. |
| |
| 84. What other folders are automatically created by the client? |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
drafts, templates |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Drafts, Templates |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Drafts |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
templates |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Drafts and Templates |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
none |
| |
| 94. What format is used for locally stored mail client? |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Not sure |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Standard unix mailbox, afaik |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Berkeley Mail |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Not sure? |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
standard mbx
|
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Not sure - but seems to be Berkely for pop folders |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
don't know |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
mbox |
| |
| Additional comments on mail storage. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Wasn't sure if there was a way to view INBOX in another location or locally. |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Folder creation: I upgraded from v 4.79 to v6.2.2, so all server mail folders already existed.
Move/copy opts:
- I have my 'delete' option set to mark msg for deletion, so anytime a message should be deleted is is only marked for deletion.
- The 'move' and 'copy' function is a little buggy. I have nested folders on my desktop. Sometimes when doing a move the drop down list of lower level folders would not pop up until I tried it a few times.
Syncing:
Works same as v 4.7x. Must delete folder index file to force resync if there are problems. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Don't see a manual resync option; don't see option to specify search order when searching folders for messages. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
#85: You can't by design.
#86/#87: maybe but don't know how.
#98: Compacting mailboxes, not specifically resynching |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
#88: command used is "copy to mailbox". #95: although there are no import/export commands, you can copy .mbx files from Eudora to Mulberry and vice versa. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
don't like that I have to minimize an open message in order to see the inbox. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
-importing mailboxes from Eudora-
able to import mailboxes from Eudora without a problem. However you must do it manually. There is no import command/feature. You have to create a local mailbox, then create a folder and copy over your Eudora *.mbx file. Works great but there needs to be an automatic import feature. Only way to import from other programs is first to use Eudora 5.1 to import from another program like netscape/outlook. Then once Eudora has converted these mailboxes you can import to mulberry.
-Copy message command-
copies the message to a different mailbox but marks the message for deletion in the original mailbox. So it works more like a move command instead of a copy command.
-showing mailboxes automatically-
does not automatically show imap mailboxes unless you subscribe to them.
-outbox-
have to specify in preferences to keep outgoing mail and you need to create your own outbox.
-reorganize messages in mailboxes-
multiple options to reorganize messages however you have to use the file menu choices for most of them.
-search feature-
great search feature, Easy to get to through the search icon that is located in every window. Also has a feature where you can highlight messages automatically depending on your input. For example if you want all your important flagged message you can chose to just highlight them.
|
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I'm not sure about the synch issue - at first, didn't see options to force a synch or to set how synch is done, but it seems options only exost for disconnected mode. Not sure I understand this, as other clients allow one to folrce synch etc. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
While I was unable to get the "copy" command to work for moving messages from one folder to another, there is a "Copy To Mailbox" command on the contextual (right-click) menu. Unfortunately, this feature seems to arbitrarily omit folders from its list. I would also argue that the menu should say "Move To Mailbox" rather than "Copy To Mailbox".
I found no direct way to move local mail from Netscape into Mulberry. |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I was unable to figure out how to create a folder on the desktop, despite reading the manual. A critical feature for our office is being able to specify a local sent folder and move messages easily from the imap server to desktop folders. |
| |
| Additional comments on multiple accounts. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 21 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Like 4.77, you must create different profiles for different accounts and launch separate Netscape sessions for each profile. Wasn't able to figure a way around that. |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
The option to include aol accounts does not work, probably because it assumes the same email password (since it never prompted for a password when trying to retrieve mail from aol). |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Can have multiple smtp servers and link them to other account definitions - but can't choose which one to use on the fly, I don't think. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Easy, just add a new account |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Program seemed to want to use the same server for all accts. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I will test once I'm out of the test script and comment then. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Good options exist here - can have numerous accounts configured, can use Identities to control who mail is sent out as, and what server is used for smtp etc; |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Once multiple accounts are set up, it's not too difficult to check them. It's the "setting up" part that is a real pain. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
very fine-grained customizations for multiple accounts...not so intuitive though. |
| |
| Describe how client responds if SSL is used with a hostname that does not match the hostname of the security certificate on server |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
When you check the SSL option for the sending mail server, you get a dialog box about not being able to establish a secure connection (problem with certificate on that server). Clicking continue presumably allows you to continue unencrypted, but another error message appears saying that a personal certificate is required. Unfortunately, neither Entourage X nor IE for X allow you to install a personal certificate. In short, despite the SSL options being there in Entourage to ALLOW for secure connections, the prerequisites to establish those secure connections in the first place (having valid certificates at the server and client) cannot be met, and so this functionality becomes meaningless. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
A pretty good message is displayed - better than what some other clients do. Allows choice to be madse re: how to continue. |
| User 5 |
Outlook 2000 |
Not very well.... |
| |
| Additional comments on security. |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
Testing for regular, unencrypted message sending in this version has not been conducted, since I couldn't get SSL to work for this client. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I had a lot of trouble configuring SSL on Imap. I still cannot get it to work |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I had a lot of trouble configuring SSL on Imap. I still cannot get it to work |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Did not test password change features - but does have the option.
|
| User 19 |
Outlook 2000 |
Could not connect to pop.seas.upenn.edu using POP3 and SSL (port ). Receive error message:
"Unable to connect to the server. (Account: 'pop.seas.upenn.edu', POP3 server: 'pop.seas.upenn.edu', Error Number: 0x800ccc0e)"
When I take off SSL authentication, connection to pop.seas.upenn.edu works fine.
|
| User 20 |
Outlook XP |
Unable to send mail via pitbull.seas.upenn.edu using SSL (port 25). Receive error message:
"The server you are connected to is using a security certificate that could not be verified.
A certificate chain processed, but terminated in a root certificate which is not trusted by the trust provider.
Do you want to continue using this server?"
If I choose "Yes", Outlook crashes.
Receive error message:
"Outlook is unable to connect to your incoming (POP3) e-mail server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP)."
Connecting to pop.seas.upenn.edu with no SSL (port 110) works fine. |
| |
| Additional comments on technical support. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Liked web answers. Nice easy language, but its too easy to end up surfing and getting lost in Netscape.com |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The help is good, but seems limited. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I didn't find the on-line help to be all that good - not complete, but user and reference guides available as pdfs seems quite good. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The hard copy "Reference Guide" is poorly organized and doesn't do a good job of explaining what different options really mean. I was only able to set up different accounts and different identities by stumbling around.
I'd give the "Reference Guide" a "1", at best |
| |
| Describe synch options in more detail |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I didn't find any evident that it does pda synch for mail or addresses. |
| |
| Additional comments on palm interoperability. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| |
| How easy and intuitive is the installation and configuration process? Are there tools for creating a custom installer? |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
Installation is a snap, but configuration for the SSL mode is not readily apparent. Although you can enter basic information such as username, type of connection (POP or IMAP), and server name in the wizard configuration steps, you have to go back and check the SSL options. (and we find out later that the SSL configuration doesn't work) |
| User 2 |
Eudora 5.1 |
it was pretty inytuitive to install and the wizard made it easy. to configure multiple users, though took extra steps though and is not intuitive. |
| User 10 |
Eudora 5.1 |
The installation is easy, just accepting the default values and clicking "next." Installation is fairly easy, provided you know the SMTP settings for your e-mail account. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
This is great for beginners and experienced users. End-users can get get the configuration settings and freely use the client without much help from technical support. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 4.79 |
The program was easy to install if you just stick with the defaults. The wizard is helping in configuring the program. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Installer:
- Automatically converts user profiles and stores them all under the docs and settings/username which installed the application. This makes the all profiles except the installer's unavailable. The fix may be to delete the profile name and recreate it.
- customization untested. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Install and configuration were quite intuitive. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Some of the obvious things such as defining SMTP (outgoing) server, incoming server are intuitive. Hilighting an already defined server, and clicking "properties," allows you to edit it, which is intuitive and what you'd expect. You may have to poke around and fine-tune things to meet your needs for a custom set-up (e.g., if you have two outgoing SMTP servers and need one to be the default). However, that's why we will document standard configurations, and build a custom installer with the pre-configs, to make it easy for end-users with these ready-made boilerplate configs. |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Installation was easy, configuration is not so easy. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
don't like the configuration steps. My users would not be able to configure this alone. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Configuration is not intuitive at all. Very difficult for "end users" to do there own configuration. Increases difficulty of phone support and increases difficulty of part time support personel. Since the configuration is extremely unfriendly and intuitive. There is a program called Administrator Tool Kit that will create custom preference and installer files for Mulberry. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I don't think the config is very intuitive, but is easy enough once you get the hang of it. Tool to create custom installer will be helpful. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Installation was easy. Configuration for one user is a little involved, but certainly reasonable, given the general complexity of setting up e-mail. Configuration for multiple users was hard to figure out -- and that's usually my strength -- and cumbersome to do, once I DID figure it out. When you compare the configuration to something like Netscape... well, there's no contest. Mulberry loses. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
easy enough |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The installation and configuration is horribly unintuitive. |
| User 18 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Not as good as Eudora, about the same as Outlook. |
| |
| Is it easy to mess up the configuration. |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
It will probably be possible to document an explicit, step-by-step instruction guide to configure the appropriate security options. |
| User 2 |
Eudora 5.1 |
yes.. the options windows are easy to get into and change. |
| User 10 |
Eudora 5.1 |
I believe it would be easy for an end user to have difficulty with the configuration if he/she did not have instructions in front of her. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
Yes. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 4.79 |
I think it would be difficult to mess up the configuration since the wizard takes you step by step through it. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Yes. See above |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Maybe. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Possibly. But again, see above, we will well-document standard configurations and build them into our custom PennConnect installer. |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Not too easy, but error messages are descriptive. |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Yes. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Very |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Yes. The design of Mulberry's preference section, where most of the configuration is done is Archaic.The preference section is obtuse. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
yes |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
yes |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Doesn't seem to be. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Yes. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
yes, in advanced mode |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Yes. Especially the configuration of folders and cabinets. I was able to create a folder on the server with the name c:\local_mail without any idea that I did it, and was unable to figure out how to delete it. |
| User 18 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
It is easy but then it is easy to correct. |
| |
| Do you think the application is sturdy and robust enough to handle configuration problems? Did it crash a lot? Did it auto-recover when the system crashed? |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
It did not crash during this limited testing. |
| User 2 |
Eudora 5.1 |
i have have some touble with the program crashing for about two weeks, but then it stopped. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
The error messages are that revealing. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 4.79 |
I did not experience the prgram crashing at all. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Need to complete testing on 2/14 or 2/15 |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
It has not crashed since I've been running it full time(about 4 days) |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Didn't crash during my somewhat limited testing. There have been issues with the snp folder index files becoming corrupted in earlier versions, don't know if this is still a problem in 6.2.2. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I didn't experiencing crashing. |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
No crashes. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
It didn't crash at all under XP (so far 5 days use), but did several times per day under NT 4.0 |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Mulberry has not yet crashed on me. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Very much so able to handle mis-configuration problems. It held all sent messages that weren't sent as a result of mis-configuration problems. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Never crashed in my testing. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I only had it crash on me (with an unhandled exception) once during all of my testing. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The system never crashed due to configuration problems. But it sometimes took several tries to get Mulberry to work the way I wanted it to work. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
its pretty stable. crashes dont seem to cause corruption anywhere |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
It didn;t crash. |
| User 18 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I think it outperformed Outlook for speed and dependability.
But still doesn't look as smooth. |
| |
| Is the application resource intensive? Did you notice slowdown of your machine during the testing process? |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
No. |
| User 2 |
Eudora 5.1 |
no |
| User 10 |
Eudora 5.1 |
The application did not seem to take up a lot of system resources. The machine ran at the usual speed during testing. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
No. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 4.79 |
The application did not slow down my machine, nor did it use a lot of resources. |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Did not notice slowdowns |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Not a slow-down of my machine per say, but it did thrash the disk occasionally for disk access, just to open a read message window, for example. It seems much slower than the built-in IE 5.1 browser for Mac OS X. |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Yes, browsing seems slower now. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
It seems to use much more memory (53,120K vs 4,228K for Excel), but XP may just be handling it better--goes from 1% to 6% total system usage. |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I did not notice slowdown of my machine during testing. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Not resource intensive |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Seems to be fairly lightweight. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I didn't notice any resource problems. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
no |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Did not appear to. |
| User 18 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Having the app in the background did not slowdown the machine. |
| |
| How easy to use is the client? How Intuitive? How much can you change/personalize the user interface? |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
The feature set itself seems robust and intuitive. Again, the inability to use this client securely is a big downer. |
| User 10 |
Eudora 5.1 |
I think the client is fairly easy to use, the menus are easy to get around, and everything is self-explanatory. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
Very. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 4.79 |
The client is extremely intuitive and easy to use. |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
It's very similar to v4.7x, which I use all the time. There were some improvements. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I think most find it fairly intuitive. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Very intuitive, tried-and-true with Netscape 4.7x |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Very easy. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Very easy to personalize and change. |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The client is fairly easy once you figure it out, but isn't very intuitive. You can't do much to personalize it. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Users would have to have some email experience, and comfort looking for selections. There is no insert, tools, options on the menu. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The client is not easy to use since the design is not inuitive. Appears to be an ancient design style in creation of the program and application layout. You cannot modify toolbars to add icons there. Missing several important icons like the "Print" feature. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
It takes some getting used to, as it is not much like other more popular e-mail clients (no 3 paned interface etc), and does not seem intuitive in many ways. However, it does have a large number of config options and this flexibility accounts for some of the complexity. New version is supposed to improve interface. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Mulberry is only moderately easy to use. It's not very intuitive at all. The user interface would have been considered wonderful in the Windows 3.1 days, but it's not up to the standards we're accustomed to now. The bad parts:
- Opening a folder means opening another window. The desktop can get pretty crowded pretty fast.
- Mulberry doesn't handle HTML documents or embedded graphics well at all.
- The spell check is mediocre, at best.
- Addressing is mediocre, at best, especially when trying to forward a message.
By the way, I found the ability to personalize the user interface to be very limited. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
not so easy, not so intuitive. limited ability to change the UI (resize columns, change colors of text) |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
It was rather difficult to determine how to personalize the interface. There are too many windows (one per folder opened) to manage. The client is reasonably easy to use for basic functions, but very difficult to go beyond the basics. |
| User 18 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The client is not real intuitive, but there is enough ability to tweek and doink to make a user content. |
| |
| How end-user friendly do you consider it to be? |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
Pretty user-friendly. |
| User 2 |
Eudora 5.1 |
moderate to easy |
| User 10 |
Eudora 5.1 |
I'm pretty sure that any end user would have no problems installing and using this e-mail program. It does everything a client would need their e-mail program to do, and is simple to do those needed tasks. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
Extremely. |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Reasonably friendly. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Fairly to quite. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Ditto above. |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Very, plus nice language. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Very user-friendly |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Not very. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Not at all because of the missing menu items. And, the graphics are poor. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Extremely un-user friendly. Would not recommend this program to any end user in its current design and version. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Not very - longer learning curve than most e-mail clients. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
On a scale of 1-10, a 4. As I said, the GUI is right out of the Windows 3.1 days. The nomenclature used, while more tied to the IMAP nomenclature, is confusing for users. Addressing is not particularly easy.
I have found using Mulberry for the past 5 months to be stressful. In many ways, I'm looking forward to returning to Netscape Messenger. I believe that using Mulberry will actually discourage people from using e-mail. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
not as friendly as Eudora in an absolute sense -needlessly complex "folder heirarchy" and "cabinet" paradigms- simple inability to handle large heirarchies of mailboxes. Prefs are scattered among many panels and generally unexplained. Seems like an email program by and for software engineers. |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Very poor user interface design. Mulberry will cause significant user support issues. Users will not be able to install, configure or begin to use without significant hand holding. |
| User 18 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I think it is adqueate for the end user. |
| |
| How difficult will the learning curve be for a beginning user? |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
Not too difficult, this unsupported product looks easy to use for beginners (for basic e-mail functions). |
| User 10 |
Eudora 5.1 |
The program is fairly intuitive, after looking around for a few minutes it's easy to figure out how to use it to do different tasks. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
About a 4 out of 10 - its not hard to learn. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 4.79 |
This program is easy to use for any enduser, including beginners. |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Fairly low. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Not very. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Again, ditto. It's easy. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
For a new user, they may be more of a learning curve, but comparable to Netscape 4.7x so I think it's manageable. |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Fairly. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Would take maybe a training class and lots of time for the beginner email user. Someone with email experience might be ok. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Learning curve will be extremely high and will cause various problems for IT support. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
With good documentation, would be easy enough to get new user to understand the basics - but learning more of the various options will be harder, I think, than it is with other clients. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Pretty difficult, I think. The nomenclature isn't intuitive (the first question will be "What's 'expunge' mean?"). The use of multiple windows instead of a three window system will be hard for users to get used to. The limited addressing functions will be hard to learn. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Can be mitigated by preconfiguring, but those coming from Eudora will be annoyed by lessened capabilities in spell-check, address book, history list, mailbox heirarchy, notification, built-in help, clearly labeled Prefs, etc. |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Large, even for an experienced email user. |
| User 18 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
I don't think the curve will be steep. After the initial shock the users will understand the need for this particular product. |
| |
| Did the application have the ability to multi-task? |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
Not readily apparent. |
| User 2 |
Eudora 5.1 |
yes |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
No. |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Yes |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
No seems like just an email client. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Not sure what you mean there...if you mean, check Mail, fill out this form, open up Multiple web pages, log in to secure sites then Yes. |
| User 1 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Yes. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Didn't notice a calendar or planning feature. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
n/a |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Yes. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Yes. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
it goes modal more often than Eudora. Cyrus says he's eliminating those functions 1 by 1. |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Unknown. |
| User 18 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
It could have several different tasks open at one time. |
| |
| Will cost be a factor for this product? |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
Absolutely, you can only get Entourage X when you buy Office for X. |
| User 2 |
Eudora 5.1 |
no it is free with the ads running in the bottom left corner. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
No. |
| User 16 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
No |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
No |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
No. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
FREE! |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
No. |
| User 26 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
No |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
not sure. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
n/a |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
It will cost money - but that won't be a problem if site license is obtained allowing unlimited use. |
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Not that I know of. |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
NO |
| |
| Other comments. |
| User 13 |
Entourage |
In a nutshell, this product as it exists today seems to fail the security requirement. I was unable to send any messages with SSL options checked using the pitbull.seas.upenn.edu server. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 4.79 |
I like it. My users like it. Will test more tomorrow. |
| User 22 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
There were slight aggrevations, but in general client is at least as good as previous v 4.7x mail client, except for issue with installer and converting user profiles, and issue with 'move/copy' messages sometimes not showing nested destination folders |
| User 23 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I think that NS is still a supportable e-mail client and likely should remain a supported product unless/until there are other better options. Given how many people use it, there would have to be 2 other clients supported (Eudora and Mulberry?) before I would think a switch could be forced on people. Lack of Kerberos support in NS is an issue, but it does seem to have good SSL support. |
| User 24 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
I did not put this product *completely* through its paces (for example, I skipped Filtering and Address Book), since I did not expect those beloved features to really change from v4.79, but for the important functionality like basic mail operations (receiving, sending, attachments), I did test fairly thoroughly and Netscape was able to deliver.
I did send a message once correctly in IMAP mode with SSL enabled (4/1) but today (4/24) I'm having problems. I do think that Netscape is functional and it was a temporary condition. I especially like the fact that Netscape can handle SSL certificate anomalies (such as self-signed certificates and giving you a chance to process them), better than IE 5.1, which is very problematic for Mac OS X as well as Classic.
All in all, I think Netscape 6.2.2 will be an acceptable *alternative* to the Kerberos direction, as it seems it can work in TLS/SSL mode for basic e-mail operations. It remains to be seen how this will compare to Eudora 5.1.1's upcoming Kerberos functionality, but for those Schools/Centers who need to stick with a familiar product, I think Netscape 6.2.2 in TLS/SSL should be fine. |
| User 25 |
Messenger 6.2.1 |
Nice, friendly, just can't right click within the message creation window. And its possible to have many Netscape windows open at once - this could lose a user. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
don't like mulberry. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
The client needs a redesign that focuses on end user friendlyness. The mulitple window scheme will be a nightmare for end users. Missing important icons. Features are named differently in this program when compared to Penns current email applications. This will cause confusion for the end user. Design seems to be from circa 1990. It is not intuitive. Would not be able to recommend this program for end users. |
| User 12 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Overall, were it not of the kerberos support - I don't think there would be much to recommend this for the average user (who may not need all of the power and flexibility it provides and thus won't want the complexity). Given that it seems to be about the only acceptable client that does support kerberos (or GSSAPI), I think it may make sense to obtain a site license so that a kerberos client is available. However, the decision re: whether to force users to adopt it will have to be a local one. It will require considerable support resources to effect a transition, and this cost may not be justified by the kerberos support. Since other secure e-mail methods (e.g. SSL) are available (if less secure than kerberos), it is hard to see how forcing such a change on users would be justitified and I think many users, if forced to change, would complain bitterly.
|
| User 14 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
My overall impression of Mulberry is that it makes easy things hard. I shouldn't HAVE to use a browser to view HTML. I shouldn't HAVE to use the search function in the address book to get a list of addressees or to use LDAP. I shouldn't HAVE to have an address book open to add an address. I shouldn't HAVE to keep track of individual windows.
The bottom line: Mulberry is NOT ready for prime time and I would be very resistant to making my department use it. Whatever advantages it may present for security would be more than offset by the amount of additional training and support we would have to provide, not only initially, but on an on-going basis. |
| User 15 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
i wanted to like this app, and eventually i did. I'm skeptical that the end user will enjoy using 2.1.2 or 2.2. Maybe 3.0 |
| User 17 |
Mulberry 2.1.2 |
Mulberry is a significant step backward in email client usability. Email is THE CRITICAL app in encouraging kerberos use at Penn. Rolling out this version will DISCOURAGE kerberos use. |
| |
