|
What options are allowed (e.g., user's profile area)?
|
| User 1 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
- where to install folder - whether to override
existing install |
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
- where to install folder - whether to overwrite
existing version |
| User 2 |
Mail |
none, mail is stored in a fixed directory per user
profile:~/Library/Mail/. Accounts are automatically created using system
preferences. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
LDAP address book setup, personal address book,
bookmarks, prefs file to further personalize interface, web page to open
to in window on startup, local mail |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
LDAP address book setup, personal address book,
bookmarks, prefs file to further personalize interface, web page to open
to in window on startup, local mail |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
stores diff. profiles, can easily switch b/w profiles,
even mid-msg |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Supports multiple "identities" - including signature,
reply-to adx, etc. - very useful for people on support teams. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
none during installation |
| |
|
Additional comments on installation:
|
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Very easy and fast to install |
| User 2 |
Mail |
No installation necessary, Mail is a standard application
incorporated into the operating system. |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Got some interesting messages from Norton Antivirus.
Created Trash automatically on IMAP. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
When there’s another version already installed
on the machine, Netscape tries to store the files in program files\netscape\netscape
causing some further confusion. The descriptions of each of the extra components
such as Sun Java and Quality feedback agent are useful. Note that this
is where one can choose whether or not to have the classic skin, so if
users are fond of the old look, be sure not to remove all of the checks
on the Custom setup. Newer version allows for the quick launch in the taskbar
for those that prefer it. Regarding restricted access and multiple users,
one can setup the client to have the Users folder in the general Program
Files\Netscape\Users folder or the Docs and Settings\username\Application
Data folder. It all depends on the access that you want users to have to
the email data and therefore that setup affects #3's question with restricted
access. If the setup is in Program files, there should not be a restriction
(except for the password prompt). If Real Player is already installed on
the system, Netscape will configure it automatically in installation to “work
with netscape”. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
When there’s another version already installed
on the machine, Netscape tries to store the files in program files\netscape\netscape
causing some further confusion. The descriptions of each of the extra components
such as Sun Java and Quality feedback agent are useful. Note that this
is where one can choose whether or not to have the classic skin, so if
users are fond of the old look, be sure not to remove all of the checks
on the Custom setup. Newer version allows for the quick launch in the taskbar
for those that prefer it. Regarding restricted access and multiple users,
one can setup the client to have the Users folder in the general Program
Files\Netscape\Users folder or the Docs and Settings\username\Application
Data folder. It all depends on the access that you want users to have to
the email data and therefore that setup affects #3's question with restricted
access. If the setup is in Program files, there should not be a restriction
(except for the password prompt). If Real Player is already installed on
the system, Netscape will configure it automatically in installation to “work
with netscape”. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Didn't have access to a multi-user machine for
testing. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Installation on Win2K is as "Administrator", but
program isn't actually set up until it's run the first time, so each user
gets his/her own setup and storage location. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Pretty straightforward installation, accepting
most default answers. |
| |
|
Additional comments on configuration:
|
| User 1 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Needed to include esoteric settings and IMAP settings |
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Needed to bring in IMAP, Personality Extras, and
Esotering Settings plugins. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
In IMAP mode, user cannot send deleted messages
to local Trash mailbox even when it's configured to do so. |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
No option to create sig file internally. (Have
to create it ahead of time.) Easy to set up Reply-to for external SMTP.
Kerberos not supported. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Screen name pop up is quite frustrating Long time
to load the program compare to others – about 20 seconds or more depending
Additional comments: When it comes to the configuration, the basics can
be entered at startup, but if you are dealing with a more secure server
using SSL, there is the need for one to go back and configure further server
settings before the login can be successful. The 4 options at startup that
allow you to choose the type of account you’re creating is a good add on
to the wizard.
As for the external editor, I researched but didn’t find more on it. You can
compose in HTML format using the built in formatting toolbar, but the only way
to bring in external was copying or attaching the file. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Screen name pop up is quite frustrating Long time
to load the program compare to others – about 20 seconds or more depending
Additional comments: When it comes to the configuration, the basics can
be entered at startup, but if you are dealing with a more secure server
using SSL, there is the need for one to go back and configure further server
settings before the login can be successful. The 4 options at startup that
allow you to choose the type of account you’re creating is a good add on
to the wizard.
As for the external editor, I researched but didn’t find more on it. You can
compose in HTML format using the built in formatting toolbar, but the only way
to bring in external was copying or attaching the file. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
This is probably Mulberry's weakest point. There
is a "simple" configuration panel that handles all the basics, and if all
you need to do is set up a single IMAP or POP account, that would be ALMOST
all you need to look at. To use SSL or Kerberos, you have to use the Advanced
settings. Same for Reply-to and for LDAP options for Penn Directory lookups.
SSL and Kerberos require separate plugins. Also: the product has a Kerberos4
plugin, and it's supposed to work, but I couldn't get it to show up in
my Plugin display, even though it was in the right folder. I had the same
problem with SSL and v.3.0, but that was fixed in 3.0.3. LDAP: Root: ou=People,o=upenn.edu
Name: cn Email: mail |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
I've used one mail program for years now, so configuration
took a little hunting around, but it's all there. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Client has Simple mode and Advanced mode in the
configuration dialog box. Simple mode is way too simplistic and does not
offer configuration features, such as incoming or outgoing authentication
mechanisms (you need Advanced for that). |
| |
|
Additional comments on message creation.
|
| User 1 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
If there's a search/replace option for new messages,
I couldn't find it. Did I just overlook it? The copy/paste function has
one brain-dead feature when you're using the keyboard: suppose you're holding
down the shift key and the right arrow to select text. You realize you
went too far. Still holding down the shift key, you press the left arrow
to back up. Except that it doesn't back up: it extends the selection from
the left backwards. When creating a sig file: no indication of word-wrap
limit or margins. |
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Braindead behavior for selections by keyboard:
hold shift, right arrow to select. Went too far? Keep holding shift and
press left arrow to back up. Except it doesn't: it goes to the left end
of the extension and starts selecting leftwards from there. Signature file:
no indication of word wrap boundary. Universal BCC: only with stationery. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Q24: Options for webformatted messages: Plain,
Styled, Plain and Styled |
| User 2 |
Mail |
BCC header must be added upon every composition. |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
One sig file per account, but has to be created
outside Netscape. Rewrap command on draft text actually made word wrap
worse. No option for stationery. No option to check spelling as-you-type. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Pasting column of text – only pastes the first
address from excel and notepad. The read and delivery receipts are generic
and cannot be altered. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Pasting column of text – only pastes the first
address from excel and notepad. The read and delivery receipts are generic
and cannot be altered. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Didn't see an option for stationery. No option
for delivery receipt either; read receipt only. Precedence header was a
problem. I marked it as "1" rather than zero because the program says the
option is there; but as far as I could see, it can only be set in the Output
Queue window, not while composing the message itself; and I couldn't find
an option to hold messages in the Output queue until I manually selected "send." Those
lack of (or confusing) options don't bother me -- I don't send receipts,
and I ignore priority settings on incoming mail. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
I can't for the life of me figure out how to send
a message with "urgent" priority. I think you must be able to, but I can't
find it, so I answered #27 as "0" |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Finding where signatures were located was kind
of clunky (in Identities, personalities). |
| |
|
Additional comments on incoming messages:
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
To delete in IMAP without using Trash, you need
to include the IMAP plugin. The option to expunge deleted messages is pretty
well buried. If there is an option to include/exclude headers and attachments
on replies, I couldn't find it. If there is an option to include/exclude
headers on forwarded mail, I couldn't find it. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Q43: Only if you set IMAP to mark messages for
deletion then you can use the undelete option Q56: Must have saved contact
info. in receipient list before you can redirect message |
| User 2 |
Mail |
In order to send a sent message again you have
to forward it, there is no send again option. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Text wrapping does depend on whether or not the
person configured to wrap all text. If so, successful on Netscape's end.
Deletion with IMAP client: When you delete immediately works successfully
(or moving to the trash) When you mark as deleted, the Inbox messages are
deleted, but even when the setting is to expunge all folders, the other
folders in the account do not delete the messages marked deleted. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Text wrapping does depend on whether or not the
person configured to wrap all text. If so, successful on Netscape's end.
Deletion with IMAP client: When you delete immediately works successfully
(or moving to the trash) When you mark as deleted, the Inbox messages are
deleted, but even when the setting is to expunge all folders, the other
folders in the account do not delete the messages marked deleted. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
36. msgs w/ long URL's, etc -> printing shrinks
font size of whole msg until URL fits on one line -> displays first 125-150
characters of URL |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Global option to include headers (or not) on forwarded
mail; didn't see an option to do it for a single message. Don't see a similar
option for replies. About checking spelling of quoted text in message ...
is that a good thing or a bad thing? Mulberry does it and Eudora doesn't
(if I remember correctly). |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
#58 - no, you don't have to create a new message |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
There are a ton of the message composition features,
and most are very easy to use. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Where is the @?@%$& *! outbox? Taking me forever
to find it. It's not in any intuitive place and I'm not spending more than
two minutes to try to find my already-sent mail. |
| |
|
Additional comments on attachments. Describe how the client
treats HTML files or image files only, touching on whether the client tries
to be "helpful" and display HTML or images inline when it shouldn't.
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Option to automatically display images (or not).
Couldn't find similar option for HTML, although there's a "styled text" option. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Q67: Content is preserved but the attached file
name is slightly modified by Eudora |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
HTML and image attachments – view depends on the
settings – if they are inline or quoted, they will open, but if they are
viewed “As Attachment” then they will of course not display in the message
most of the time. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
HTML and image attachments – view depends on the
settings – if they are inline or quoted, they will open, but if they are
viewed “As Attachment” then they will of course not display in the message
most of the time. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
It does do this but also allows you to save the
attachment if you want. Not sure when a client "shouldn't" display a single
attached image inline. :) |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
HTML display is rudimentary; includes some text
styling but no graphics. (Alternate text of graphics, if any, is displayed.) |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Does not show HTML e-mail correctly |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Section skipped. |
| |
|
Additional comments on filtering:
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
No option to filter on body of message -- headers
only. Max of 2 conditions per filter. To re-apply filter manually to a
mailbox, all messages must be selected first. |
| User 2 |
Mail |
Extremely easy to apply rules (filtering). |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Netscape allows for multiple criteria in searching
and you can choose to "Match all" or "Match any". However, there is not
an option for AND, OR. Importing files - works smoothly, but not with Outlook
pst files. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Netscape allows for multiple criteria in searching
and you can choose to "Match all" or "Match any". However, there is not
an option for AND, OR. Importing files - works smoothly, but not with Outlook
pst files. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
71. no 72. yes 73. yes 74. yes |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
#71 - #72: can use AND or OR to combine conditions
in a filter rule |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
The filters are not the same as the filters in
other mail programs. Here they use a trigger/filter model of doing things
that is not very intuitive at all. I had a very difficult time figuring
out what I was trying to do. Filtering is too widely used to be this unintuitive. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Skipped. |
| |
|
Additional comments on address books:
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
It wasn't clear if #78 meant that getting all possible
hits was a GOOD thing. I assumed that it was; and it looks to me like Eudora
gets all possible hits; didn't see an option to limit. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Again, the outlook address books are a bit more
troublesome to work with, but can be imported. The best import format,
however is still the LDIF. I find that like earlier versions, the txt and
csv imports are not as successful. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Again, the outlook address books are a bit more
troublesome to work with, but can be imported. The best import format,
however is still the LDIF. I find that like earlier versions, the txt and
csv imports are not as successful. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
83. can create separate addressbooks if that's
what you're talking about 84. can export each addressbook created 85. to
the best of my knowledge |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Regarding lookups ... in my setup, only name and
email are displayed; no work address or phone number. There may be options
to make those available, but I don't know what they are. Also: don't see
a menu option to add looked-up address to address book; but using mouse
to drag and drop works fine. There are import/export options for address
book, but I didn't test them. LDIF is supported. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
#81 - #82: Not sure what you mean here - doesn't
preserve a 'history' unless I capture an adx into my address book. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Importing and exporting is nice, the directory
stuff is very difficult. Part of it is that setting up these types of directories
is no easy task if you don't understand what you're doing, but Mulberry
doesn't make the process any easier. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
So-so address book support though. Had to right-click
to find the Capture address option. Not a big fan of address books, so
I can't say. |
| |
|
90. What other folders are automatically created by the
client?
|
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
None |
| User 2 |
Mail |
Online Drafts |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
In Local mail - Drafts, Unsent messages, Trash
but on the client, just the Inbox and Sent are defaults. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
In Local mail - Drafts, Unsent messages, Trash
but on the client, just the Inbox and Sent are defaults. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Drafts, Templates, Unsent Messages |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
Drafts |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
None |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
< Display hierarchy? where is that pesky option?> |
| |
|
100. What format is used for locally stored mail (e.g.,
Berkeley mail format)?
|
| User 2 |
Mail |
mbox |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
.msf [?] |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
not sure |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
not sure |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
mbx |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
I dunno |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
No idea |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Berkeley mail? |
| |
|
Additional comments on mail storage:
|
| User 2 |
Mail |
Can be saved as plain or rich text as a single
document, mbox file would have to be manually copied for backup or by backup
software eg;retrospect. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Resynchronization sometimes needs forcing by deletion
of backup folders from the local disk which requires more inside knowledge
of the program files and storage on the user machine. Importing/exporting
is very successful from cd on this client. One only needs to shut down
the program, place the files in the correct Users folder for mail and then
reopen the program to autodetect the newly added files. Again, with most
formats, but Outlook still is different. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Resynchronization sometimes needs forcing by deletion
of backup folders from the local disk which requires more inside knowledge
of the program files and storage on the user machine. Importing/exporting
is very successful from cd on this client. One only needs to shut down
the program, place the files in the correct Users folder for mail and then
reopen the program to autodetect the newly added files. Again, with most
formats, but Outlook still is different. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
101. can import mail easily, but couldn't find
a way to export it |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
No option to import/export mail, but mbx format
is supported; no problems bringing in mail from other apps that also support
mbx. Don't see an option for TRASH: it appears that Mulberry uses the delete
/ expunge approach even on POP/download accounts. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
The way it displays folders on the server is very
confusing. I ended up having my folders listed twice, once as subscribed
and once in the folder Mail/. I couldn't figure out which one was "correct" or
how to keep it from being duplicated. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Where are my @#?#@$! IMAP folders on server? I
know I must have misconfigured the option to change the display hierarchy
so my folders are displayed, but I can't find it! Therefore I skipped this
entire section!! No ticky, no washy! |
| |
|
Additional comments on multiple accounts.
|
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Sometimes the default server configuration can
affect the operability of this function. Also ran into problems because
one server was POP, other IMAP - still working out successful sending on
this. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Sometimes the default server configuration can
affect the operability of this function. Also ran into problems because
one server was POP, other IMAP - still working out successful sending on
this. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
108. not a "send all" feature |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Identities don't seem to be attached to accounts.
. . |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Not tested. |
| |
|
Describe how client responds if SSL is used with a hostname
that does not match the hostname of the security certificate on server (e.g.,
home.seas instead of imap.seas):
|
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
A failed to connect error message appears. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
A failed to connect error message appears. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
untested |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Kerberos and SSL require separate plugins. Kerberos
supported, but I couldn't get it to work. No problem with SSL. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
untested |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Untested |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Only Kerberos with IMAP was tested in-depth. Product
has documented support of Kerberos + {POP, SMTP) and SSL + {POP, IMAP,
SMTP) but not tested. No NNTP support. |
| |
|
Additional comments on security, i.e. comment on frequency
of security patches released:
|
| User 2 |
Mail |
Supports kerberos 4, 5 , and MD5 challenge response. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
I search the Netscape Security news site and found
2 patches within the last few months, but not frequent needs for fixing. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
I search the Netscape Security news site and found
2 patches within the last few months, but not frequent needs for fixing. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
120. upgrade to latest full release, but is simple
Due to frequent updates, security issues shouldn't be problem to patch |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Supports GnuPG now. Their tech support says "PGP
6.5 is very old. We will soon be supporting the newer PGP Corp's PGP 8
release." |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Security seems to be a strong feature with Mulberry |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
I think he patches every now and then so any security
exploits would be addressed in a 0.0.x release. |
| |
|
Additional comments on technical support:
|
| User 2 |
Mail |
Help is local |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
I used the search function quite a few times in
my testing and found it to be quite good. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
I used the search function quite a few times in
my testing and found it to be quite good. |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
There is extensive popup help, but it doesn't compensate
for the complexity of the options. Mulberry attempts to support as many
options as possible, and to make everything configurable; but there's no
in-between ground between "Simple" options (only a handful) and "Advanced" (hundreds).
An "Intermediate" level of options, including the most frequently-used
IMAP options, would be nice. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Contacted tech support on a Saturday, got a response
Tuesday morning from the owner of the company (the "Cyrus" in "Cyrusoft".)
This tells me that they are a small but responsive outfit, since I got
a good detailed answer on the 2nd business day. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
The help on the website was old, and didn't apply
to this version. It is difficult to find out specific pieces of information
without having to read long docs |
| |
|
Provide more details about synch options if necessary.
|
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
If you use Eudora's email client for Palm, you
can sync emails. However, this only works w/ Eudora POP. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
should work -> claims to, but I haven't been
able to get it to work |
| |
|
Additional comments on palm interoperability:
|
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Didn't try to synch because I don't synch e-mail
to my Palm, only calendar info. |
| |
|
Additional comments on uninstallation:
|
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Sometimes it seems to have kept all the preconfigured
system information and deletes the mailboxes.. and sometimes it seems to
preserve the mailboxes |
| User 2 |
Mail |
Palm desktop required |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
On uninstall, one actively needs to backup the
User files if they do not want them lost. The program will delete them.
Overall, the rest of the process is successful on uninstall and better
than the 4.79 version need to go back at times and manually delete icons. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
On uninstall, one actively needs to backup the
User files if they do not want them lost. The program will delete them.
Overall, the rest of the process is successful on uninstall and better
than the 4.79 version need to go back at times and manually delete icons. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Using the included uninstaller didn't work for
me |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Untested. |
| |
|
How easy and intuitive is the installation and configuration
process? Are there tools for creating a custom installer?
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Basic setup is very easy. For special requirements
(non-Trash IMAP, non-Penn SMTP) additional plugins need to be included. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Very easy to setup and install |
| User 2 |
Mail |
Configuration is relatively easy. No tools for
an installer needed. |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Installation was pretty straightforward. The only
confusing thing is that some options are under Preferences and others under
Email Account Preferences. Things that are hard (or impossible) to set
up in Eudora -- Reply-to and IMAP Sent folder, for example -- are a piece
of cake. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Overall easy initial setup, but then the navigation
gets more difficult when determining the windows to proceed to for the
average user to configure security and other details for the client. Netscape,
however, retained the tree structure similar to that of older versions
on the left side of the window, so familiarity should help out the addition
of more areas to cover. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Overall easy initial setup, but then the navigation
gets more difficult when determining the windows to proceed to for the
average user to configure security and other details for the client. Netscape,
however, retained the tree structure similar to that of older versions
on the left side of the window, so familiarity should help out the addition
of more areas to cover. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Installation Wizards makes the setup process easy. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
installation and config were easy/intuitive, no
custom installer tools |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
As before ... if you didn't have any special requirements
-- or if the most common IMAP options could be set up ahead of time --
it COULD be straightforward. Since there were few of the default options
that I liked (size and shape of windows, three-pane display with preview,
colors used to highlight message status), I got into the Advanced options
pretty quickly. For me it was an interesting challenge; for someone who
just wanted to install and go, it could be frustrating. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Don't know about a custom installer. Installation
was pretty easy, but I'd recommend a 'best practices' instruction set for
Penn users, to handle the things they will definitely want to do (and minimize
the need to search through features they don't need if they don't want
to.) |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Mulberry is not easy nor intuitive in this respect.
There is just so much configuration that is available that it seems like
the "important" parts are hidden amid a ton of "fluff" features. I think
it would be very difficult for an LSP to learn and stay on top of all the
features that are avaible, and then be able to understand all the changes
that could have been made when a user messes something up. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Installation was a breeze, and the configuration
seemed "deceptively" simple. But accepting the defaults was not enough.
For example, I overlooked a crucial step to define how to display folder
hierarchies, and therefore my IMAP server mailboxes. When I tried to go
back to re-defined it, I couldn't find the option easily! So again, one
can think one is configuring correctly for a basic configuration, and crucial
things are being missed. |
| |
|
How easily does the client handle importing mail during
set-up, and reading archived mail formats (e.g., CD)?
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
I didn't test importing this time, although I've
tested it in the past with an earlier version (5.1.3) and had no particular
problems doing so. (Part of the problem this time was that my machine is
shared by other Eudora users, and I had to tip-toe around their configurations.) |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
It is very clunky when importing mail from Outlook
or Netscape. It takes a lot of work around to get it to work. Eudora does
seem to import contact information rather well from Outlook |
| User 2 |
Mail |
VERY well from almost every client. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
For the client, one just needs to copy and paste
the files to the necessary Users folder that contains the backed up emails
and then restart the client. Automatic detection begins and messages are
successfully imported if saved from a previous version Netscape or other
format. The only trouble seems to occur with .pst outlook files since they
have a specific format. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
For the client, one just needs to copy and paste
the files to the necessary Users folder that contains the backed up emails
and then restart the client. Automatic detection begins and messages are
successfully imported if saved from a previous version Netscape or other
format. The only trouble seems to occur with .pst outlook files since they
have a specific format. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
client does not ask user for importing any mail
during set-up. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
importing mail easy, archived mail reading untested |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
supports mbx -- no specific import option. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Very well |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
It feels like importing/exporting is a strong quality
of mulberry |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Not sure. |
| |
|
Is it easy to "mess up" the configuration?
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Again -- basic config is very straightforward.
Installing extra plugins can make the Settings list a little confusing
(not quite as many options as Mulberry, but enough obscure ones to invite
trouble). |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Not very |
| User 2 |
Mail |
No |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Easy to mess up the configuration, but it can
also be corrected just as easily. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Easy to mess up the configuration, but it can
also be corrected just as easily. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Since the configuration screen not only change
the e-mail client setting, web browser and instant messager setting are
also in the same screen. It is possible for users to "mess up" other configuration. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
no |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
I wouldn't say "mess up," exactly ... it's always
possible to change things back. But it may take a process of trial and
error to get things where you want them. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Sort of, but easy to fix, too. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Very, very easy. I came into this test with a positive
outlook, but I came out thinking that this could be a support nightmare.
The look of the application can change, ways it connects, etc etc. I think
small problems with client setup could turn into large problems just because
so many options can be tinkered with. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Yes, for the reasons given above. You think you're
configuring "the basics," for example in an IMAP server, and then you miss
something cruicial (display folder hierarchies). And then you can't even
display you #@)?& ! IMAP folders!! GRRR. |
| |
|
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 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
The application crashed repeatedly when trying
to open an HTML page that had been mailed to it. Could be my system; I
wouldn't automatically assume it's the app. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
No, system rarely crashed. Often crashes if you
have two clients checking email at the same time, i.e. Eudora and Palm |
| User 2 |
Mail |
Never crashed |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
No crashes. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
It does crash more than I’d like, but the configuration
is retained everytime. However, the history does not save and so if you
had read 100 messages in a day and the program crashed, when you went to
login again, the messages need to be re-marked as read. Additionally, I
found that I set up a filter so that my BCC would go to my address and
then into a Sent folder. Whenever the program crashed, and I reopened,
the amount of copies would double in the Sent folder. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
It does crash more than I’d like, but the configuration
is retained everytime. However, the history does not save and so if you
had read 100 messages in a day and the program crashed, when you went to
login again, the messages need to be re-marked as read. Additionally, I
found that I set up a filter so that my BCC would go to my address and
then into a Sent folder. Whenever the program crashed, and I reopened,
the amount of copies would double in the Sent folder. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
The application seem working smooth, it didn't
crash during the testing. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
config problems? not sure what that means did not
crash at all, thus auto-recover untested |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
no crashes |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Never crashed at all. Once I got "SMTP error".
Not sure if that was my PC, the program, or my ISP (I use this on my laptop
and was connecting at home). But I restarted the program and the error
disappeared. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
It did not crash at all while I was using it. I
think it could handle configuration problems fine, but I think the user
could mess things up so that even though Mulberry functions correctly it
could still be made unuseable |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
It didn't crash. |
| |
|
Is the application resource intensive? Did you notice
slowdown of your machine during the testing process?
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
No. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
No |
| User 2 |
Mail |
Yes, large mailboxes and imap mailboxes take longer
to sync or read. |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Don't know about the system as a whole, but the
program felt VERY sluggish on my iMac. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
I did not notice a slowdown of the machine during
testing but as the file sizes increase, like all other programs, the application
does slow at times or even freezes. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
I did not notice a slowdown of the machine during
testing but as the file sizes increase, like all other programs, the application
does slow at times or even freezes. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
machine didn't slowdown during the testing. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
not resource intensive, no slowdown |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Seems to be very light - no slowdown. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
I didn't notice any slowdown |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
No, didn't see slowdowns. |
| |
|
How easy to use is the client? How intuitive? How much
can you change/personalize the user interface?
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
I like the Eudora interface (apart from the "cute" options).
There were a couple of things that were obscure, but if I could get it
to work with the IMAP Sent folder the way I want it to, I might very well
switch. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Very intuitive to use. It's easy to customize the
interface but it's not very clear to the average user how to do it. |
| User 2 |
Mail |
Very, basic users will enjoy this greatly. |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
It's OK. Not as many options for the user interface;
you can change the columns around on the message list, but there's no use
of color to communicate message or mailbox status. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
This client allows for the hiding, showing of various
Sidebars, menu items and classic or newer view. As for the basic buttons,
they remain in the toolbars, but one can choose the menus that appear in
the window view (status, subject, date, etc. can be turned off/on). |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
This client allows for the hiding, showing of various
Sidebars, menu items and classic or newer view. As for the basic buttons,
they remain in the toolbars, but one can choose the menus that appear in
the window view (status, subject, date, etc. can be turned off/on). |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
For a first time user like me, for the general
use such as reading and sending e-mail will be fine, but if user needs
to use more functions to handle their e-mail, he/she might need to spend
a little more time to find out how to setup all the functions. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
easy to use -> like Netscape; intuitive; can
change interface to a decent degree for a mail client |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Easy to use, once I got it set up the way I liked.
VERY flexible user interface. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Took me a day or so to get used to it, but I had
been on Outlook for about 5 years+. Actually pretty intuitive once you
get out of the Microsoft Mindset. Very customizable/personalizable. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
It is not easy, it is not intuitive. Yes, it can
be personalized, but to a point where it stops being a nice feature and
starts to become a burder for whoever has to configure it. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
NOT EASY! It's not intuitive. For example, I'll
repeat this again, not being able to find the place to define IMAP servers,
*AND* not being able to find my outbox, REALLY angered me and turned me
off. How can I expect to use this client if it's not easy for me to locate
where these things can be reconfigured? If it's bad for me, what do you
think it's going to be for an average Joe or Linda end user? |
| |
|
How end-user friendly do you consider it to be?
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Very, for basic operations. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
It's pretty friendly but not as friendly as Outlook |
| User 2 |
Mail |
The best. |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Feh. It's OK. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Very user-friendly application to learn. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Very user-friendly application to learn. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
The client interface is user friendly, and the
mail account setup wizards is easy to use. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
very user-friendly for all users |
| User 4 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Again -- distinction has to be made between configuring
and using. Now that I have everything the way I want it, I don't have to
think about it; I just do it. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
For tech geeks: very user friendly. For the average
user: very user-friendly for the basics necessary to read and send mail,
pretty user-friendly for other stuff. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Message composition seems very friendly. However
there are certain concepts that I see in Mulberry that I haven't seen in
other places (trigger/filter model, etc). I think it makes so much available
that any average user would be completely lost trying to work with the
pieces that are important to them. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Some things seemed okay but others, again, like
WHERE'S THE OUTBOX. No, the paradigm seems too different from the "familiar" Eudora
or Netscape one. |
| |
|
How difficult will the learning curve be for a beginning
user?
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Not very. I've introduced one computerphobe to
the app and had to spend only a few minutes going through the basics. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
No very much. I think a novice will just have to
understand the differences between Local mailboxes and Dominate and how
some of the button works. One of the biggest things will probably be how
to save an address from a received email. |
| User 2 |
Mail |
None except for those who use extended features.
Depends also on the familiarity with the OS |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
OK. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Learning curve is getting by the extras in the
application and personalize the client so that the user only views the
bare essentials when checking mail. For example, the less menus and icons
showing, the better. I have also found that the split interface showing
the messages on the top half and the message content on the lower half
of the screen is ideal for beginners, but can be a problem for tech support
when trying to explain just where the folders structure is found. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Learning curve is getting by the extras in the
application and personalize the client so that the user only views the
bare essentials when checking mail. For example, the less menus and icons
showing, the better. I have also found that the split interface showing
the messages on the top half and the message content on the lower half
of the screen is ideal for beginners, but can be a problem for tech support
when trying to explain just where the folders structure is found. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
For a beginning user, if he/she just need the basic
functions of a e-mail client, they should pick it up quick. But if the
user wants to use the advance functions, he/she might need a little more
time to learn how to setup the client. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
not difficult to learn |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Not bad |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
For an average user, out-of-the-box use would be
next to impossible. Providing a set configuration file would make things
easier, but personal configuration is what makes Mulberry so appealing,
and configuration isn't easy. The rapid adoption of webmail seems to show
that the average user doesn't want/need a ton of features, and for those
users the power of Mulberry would be wasted. For power e-mail users who
specifically request certain features, I think they might find the learning
curve acceptable depending on how bad the want/need the increased feature
set. |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
VERY DIFFICULT. |
| |
|
Did the application have the ability to multi-task?
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
N/A -- on Mac OS 9 I'm not sure that's a valid
concept. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Somewhat |
| User 2 |
Mail |
Not sure |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
The application has a great ability to multitask.
You can compose, draft, save multiple messages at once along with searching
both server and local folders simultaneously. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
The application has a great ability to multitask.
You can compose, draft, save multiple messages at once along with searching
both server and local folders simultaneously. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Not sure. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
yes |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Not sure what you mean. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
um. . . . yeah |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
I don't know. |
| |
|
Will cost be a factor for this product?
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
??? |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
No |
| User 2 |
Mail |
No |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
No. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
no |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
no |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Since this client is available for download from
the internet for free, therefore the cost will not be a factor for this
product. |
| User 13 |
Mozilla |
no |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
Again, not sure what you mean - it's not free. |
| User 7 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
It costs money, but I don't know that it would
be prohibitative |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
No, cuz it's going to get site-licensed by the
University if it ever gets recommended officially this year, which I doubt
will happen at all if I have anything to say. |
| |
|
Other comments
|
| User 3 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Very easy to set up Kerberos with product. Sorry
about the untested options. |
| User 12 |
Eudora 5.2.1 |
Not that much support from the website. |
| User 2 |
Mail |
I highly recommend support for this product |
| User 5 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
I used this program for years, and I was surprised
at how much I hated it this time around. (1) It was incredibly sluggish
at nearly all operations. (Could it be my system?) (2) Little control over
print options. (3) Little control over display of mailbox list. (4) Little
control over display of message list. (5) Little use of color. (6) Little
control over caption for replies ("On mm/dd/yy, abc wrote:"). (7) No visual
feedback on whether return receipt has been requested for outgoing message.
(8) Most of all ... the screen is so CROWDED. Eudora fits very nicely on
my 15" iMac screen and doesn't look jammed together. Mulberry is a little
more crowded, but still OK -- choice of list fonts helps. Netscape? Forget
it. I can barely get everything in in list mode. I won't be moving back
to this program anytime soon. |
| User 9 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
One flaw the Law School found in conjunction with
the other products of Netscape: Navigator, IM, Netscape radio – if one
does not logoff all components before leaving the office, they will encounter
difficulties and errors when trying to logon at a second location with
this version and the SSL settings. |
| User 10 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
I did not see much difference between the Winxp
and Win2000 installations and workings, so I have retained a similar script.
One flaw the Law School found in conjunction with the other products of
Netscape: Navigator, IM, Netscape radio – if one does not logoff all components
before leaving the office, they will encounter difficulties and errors
when trying to logon at a second location with this version and the SSL
settings. |
| User 11 |
Messenger 7.0.2 |
Since I am a first time user with this e-mail client,
some functions that might exist and I am too new to this application, so
I am just not able to test all functions. |
| User 6 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
I really like this program! In particular, it is
really easy for me to choose my identity from a drop-down list and automatically
change my signature line and the reply-to adx (as well as a bunch of other
things.) I reply to messages for Blackboard Support, PennAdvance support,
etc., and this makes it really easy for me - _much_ more so than Outlook
ever did. Thanks for letting me try it! |
| User 8 |
Mulberry 3.0.3 |
This product is not ready yet. Seems like a *slight*
improvement from Version 2, but *BASIC* things like where to configure
IMAP folders, were really hard to do! I couldn't even display or find my
sent mail in the interface. I spent two minutes trying to find this but
I couldn't. Users are going to get frustrated and not want to use a programme
like this if they can't figure out where basic things are. Try again, Cyrus,
next year in your version 4. |
| |
