Comments on: Evolution: A New Outlook for Linux http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/ Open Source, Open Standards Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:47:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: ebenvios http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-115163 ebenvios Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:18:48 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-115163 Its such as you learn my thoughts! You seem to know so much approximately this, such as you wrote the e book in it or something. I think that you just can do with a few p.c. to pressure the message house a bit, however other than that, that is fantastic blog. A great read. I will definitely be back. Its such as you learn my thoughts! You seem to know so much approximately this, such as you wrote the e book in it or something. I think that you just can do with a few p.c. to pressure the message house a bit, however other than that, that is fantastic blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.

]]> By: rkrishnamcan01 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5843 rkrishnamcan01 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5843 The one issue with Evolution (as of 2.24) is that it does not yet support MS Exchange 2007. If it did, I would adapt it in a heartbeat. The one issue with Evolution (as of 2.24) is that it does not yet support MS Exchange 2007. If it did, I would adapt it in a heartbeat.

]]> By: shekharc http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5844 shekharc Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5844 I was thinking to switch to Evolution from Kmail since Evolution supports inline images. However, I couldn't because it doesn't support maildir format for POP downloads and this is something I can't compromise with. Kmail rocks and if looking for calender etc, Kontact is there for you :-) I was thinking to switch to Evolution from Kmail since Evolution supports inline images. However, I couldn’t because it doesn’t support maildir format for POP downloads and this is something I can’t compromise with. Kmail rocks and if looking for calender etc, Kontact is there for you :-)

]]> By: dbaddour http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5845 dbaddour Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5845 I am having the same issue as “rkrishnamcan01”, I use Evolution but when our server upgrade to Exchange 2007, cannot connect to it at all without open IMAP port for this service. And on the other hand I do manage the distribution list for the office and evolution doesn't support it either. I have to use a Window machine to perform that task.<br /> I am not trying to put Evolution down, but I like to see it working in way to support all platforms.<br /> Hope someone will come up with a solution so I can approve my point with Evolution is the way to go.<br /> <br /> Cheers. I am having the same issue as “rkrishnamcan01”, I use Evolution but when our server upgrade to Exchange 2007, cannot connect to it at all without open IMAP port for this service. And on the other hand I do manage the distribution list for the office and evolution doesn’t support it either. I have to use a Window machine to perform that task.
I am not trying to put Evolution down, but I like to see it working in way to support all platforms.
Hope someone will come up with a solution so I can approve my point with Evolution is the way to go.

Cheers.

]]> By: jsilve1 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5846 jsilve1 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5846 Evolution *Sounds* like a great tool, but in my experience so far -- and I have been trying it on and off since 2002 -- it has, well, not to be nasty, but, well, it has sucked. Evolution has always had some very basic issues, like instability and bugginess.<br /> <br /> I have tried Evo on Red Hat 9, MEPIS 3.3, Ubuntu 6.06, 6.10, an 8.04, and I still encounter show stopping instability and bugs. I wish I had specific examples, but I don't. But suffice it to say that I have never had good success with it.<br /> <br /> Has no one else had my negative experiences?<br /> <br /> Am I using the wrong distros? (Red Hat or Debian-based distros) I figured on a RH distro Evo would be alright but not AFAICR.<br /> <br /> Also, does anyone actually like the "send/receive" button (ala MS Outlook)? Why are send and receive not separated from each other? I have never been able to figure that one out. There are times when I DON'T WAN TO DO BOTH!<br /> <br /> Yay! Linux! Seeya! Evolution *Sounds* like a great tool, but in my experience so far — and I have been trying it on and off since 2002 — it has, well, not to be nasty, but, well, it has sucked. Evolution has always had some very basic issues, like instability and bugginess.

I have tried Evo on Red Hat 9, MEPIS 3.3, Ubuntu 6.06, 6.10, an 8.04, and I still encounter show stopping instability and bugs. I wish I had specific examples, but I don’t. But suffice it to say that I have never had good success with it.

Has no one else had my negative experiences?

Am I using the wrong distros? (Red Hat or Debian-based distros) I figured on a RH distro Evo would be alright but not AFAICR.

Also, does anyone actually like the “send/receive” button (ala MS Outlook)? Why are send and receive not separated from each other? I have never been able to figure that one out. There are times when I DON’T WAN TO DO BOTH!

Yay! Linux! Seeya!

]]> By: kfries6 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5847 kfries6 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5847 I use evolution for my home computer, and it NEVER crashes on me (Ubuntu 7.04, 7.10, 8.04, 8.10... yes no crashes even on the Intrepid beta). It looks like some have been suffering from PIBKAC errors.<br /> <br /> However, for business use? Never. I will re-evaluate next March when 2.26 comes out, hopefully with MAPI support. Because as others have noted above, this program is just not ready for prime time until it can properly handle Exchange servers (yes, even the 2007 versions). The OWA hack this author was so proud of was a first class kludge. It should never be considered a feature, but instead as the hack that it is.<br /> <br /> Evolution is fine for personal use, but in the office, in a mixed environment, its just not ready for prime time. I use evolution for my home computer, and it NEVER crashes on me (Ubuntu 7.04, 7.10, 8.04, 8.10… yes no crashes even on the Intrepid beta). It looks like some have been suffering from PIBKAC errors.

However, for business use? Never. I will re-evaluate next March when 2.26 comes out, hopefully with MAPI support. Because as others have noted above, this program is just not ready for prime time until it can properly handle Exchange servers (yes, even the 2007 versions). The OWA hack this author was so proud of was a first class kludge. It should never be considered a feature, but instead as the hack that it is.

Evolution is fine for personal use, but in the office, in a mixed environment, its just not ready for prime time.

]]> By: cavemole http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5848 cavemole Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5848 I, too have tried evolution several times. I'm still using Thunderbird.<br /> <br /> Will the new version do calendaring with Outlook users?<br /> We don't use an exchange server, but our customers have standardized on Outlook calender, and we need to be able to request meetings, etc.<br /> <br /> I would like to be able to work with google calendar. Is there a plugin, and/or working synch app to keep a calendar synched to google?<br /> <br /> * Spam filtering. at first they expected us to manage a SpamAssassin install. That is NOT a reasonable solution for most users. What spam filtering plug-ins do they have now?<br /> <br /> Finally : secure e-mail.<br /> <br /> Are there plug-ins for PGP/GPG? S/MIME?<br /> We use S/MIME at work, but I still use my old GPG key for personal communications. I, too have tried evolution several times. I’m still using Thunderbird.

Will the new version do calendaring with Outlook users?
We don’t use an exchange server, but our customers have standardized on Outlook calender, and we need to be able to request meetings, etc.

I would like to be able to work with google calendar. Is there a plugin, and/or working synch app to keep a calendar synched to google?

* Spam filtering. at first they expected us to manage a SpamAssassin install. That is NOT a reasonable solution for most users. What spam filtering plug-ins do they have now?

Finally : secure e-mail.

Are there plug-ins for PGP/GPG? S/MIME?
We use S/MIME at work, but I still use my old GPG key for personal communications.

]]> By: kfries6 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5849 kfries6 Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5849 To answer your questions:<br /> <br /> - You can talk to an Exchange server as long as it is 2005 or below with an OWA account.<br /> <br /> - Evolution is compatable with any iCal server, I am not sure if Google Calendar is. There is also a service that can be added to a Linux desktop that acts as a proxy to GMail and Calendar services. Look for it in your distro.<br /> <br /> - Spam filtering should never be relied upon at the desktop, and should be beefed up at your server. If you do it at your desktop, the virus is already at your machine, and you are playing defense... filter at the server.<br /> <br /> - PGP and S/MIME are both natively supported in Evolution, no plugin needed<br /> <br /> Hope this helps To answer your questions:

– You can talk to an Exchange server as long as it is 2005 or below with an OWA account.

– Evolution is compatable with any iCal server, I am not sure if Google Calendar is. There is also a service that can be added to a Linux desktop that acts as a proxy to GMail and Calendar services. Look for it in your distro.

– Spam filtering should never be relied upon at the desktop, and should be beefed up at your server. If you do it at your desktop, the virus is already at your machine, and you are playing defense… filter at the server.

– PGP and S/MIME are both natively supported in Evolution, no plugin needed

Hope this helps

]]> By: frlgrb http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5850 frlgrb Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5850 Have been using various Linux distros for about a year now in a medium-large Windows network. I alternated between accessing my Exchange server from Firefox (OWA) and with Evolution. I must say that OWA is not the best way to do Exchange even if it is wrapped up in a nice interface like Evo. However, as a tech needing to get good at Linux for work-related reasons, I found that Evolution gave me everything I needed. I was able to open my personal calendar on Exchange, answer appt. reqs and create appts of my own (although I had to do a regular email invite to staffers for meeting reqs.) My tasks and notes were there and I could manage them fairly easily. I think that the solution is very close and am excited to see the next scheduled features. BTW - I built Linux boxes for my teenage kids. The boxes are nearly four years old and I've never had to fix anything serious. It took them a few months to figure out how to do everything they were doing on Windows. Now they're doing that stuff and more (web 2.0). In the meantime I earn cash from my neighbors by fixing their viral WinPCs and use same to pump up my own systems :P Have been using various Linux distros for about a year now in a medium-large Windows network. I alternated between accessing my Exchange server from Firefox (OWA) and with Evolution. I must say that OWA is not the best way to do Exchange even if it is wrapped up in a nice interface like Evo. However, as a tech needing to get good at Linux for work-related reasons, I found that Evolution gave me everything I needed. I was able to open my personal calendar on Exchange, answer appt. reqs and create appts of my own (although I had to do a regular email invite to staffers for meeting reqs.) My tasks and notes were there and I could manage them fairly easily. I think that the solution is very close and am excited to see the next scheduled features. BTW – I built Linux boxes for my teenage kids. The boxes are nearly four years old and I’ve never had to fix anything serious. It took them a few months to figure out how to do everything they were doing on Windows. Now they’re doing that stuff and more (web 2.0). In the meantime I earn cash from my neighbors by fixing their viral WinPCs and use same to pump up my own systems :P

]]> By: cuetzpallin http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5851 cuetzpallin Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5851 Well the only issue with evolution is in Exchange 2007, other things works ok Well the only issue with evolution is in Exchange 2007, other things works ok

]]> By: jc2it http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5852 jc2it Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5852 We use Evolution in our office environment and have been for four years, since RH EL 4. We do not use Exchange, and I would not recommend our organization getting it. I would say that it has performed as well as Outlook. That being said I would not say that either is a great product. We have had problems with buggy, or non-working features. Little things like email notification and passwords for POP3 accounts either just don't work or only work in undocumented ways. We have had problems with the mail storage files getting corrupted, who knows how. Also, it is very tricky to turn off some "features" that get in the way, like password keyrings. We are in the process of moving to Ubuntu 8.04 in that office environment, and while they have fixed some bugs in the latest version on Ubuntu compared to our older RH EL setup, there is a long way to go until I think Evolution will be a mature product. <br /> <br /> I would deem is usable, but not desirable. With that said, until Mozilla releases Thunderbird with Sunbird, there won't be a decent alternative to email/calendar functions. We use Evolution in our office environment and have been for four years, since RH EL 4. We do not use Exchange, and I would not recommend our organization getting it. I would say that it has performed as well as Outlook. That being said I would not say that either is a great product. We have had problems with buggy, or non-working features. Little things like email notification and passwords for POP3 accounts either just don’t work or only work in undocumented ways. We have had problems with the mail storage files getting corrupted, who knows how. Also, it is very tricky to turn off some “features” that get in the way, like password keyrings. We are in the process of moving to Ubuntu 8.04 in that office environment, and while they have fixed some bugs in the latest version on Ubuntu compared to our older RH EL setup, there is a long way to go until I think Evolution will be a mature product.

I would deem is usable, but not desirable. With that said, until Mozilla releases Thunderbird with Sunbird, there won’t be a decent alternative to email/calendar functions.

]]> By: bartvandeenen http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5853 bartvandeenen Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5853 I had to quit using Evolution with exchange-connector, because it always ended up using hundreds of megabytes. It's only the exchange connector that does this. Fortunately Kontact also supports Exchange; I'm very happy with it (and the rest of KDE actually). I had to quit using Evolution with exchange-connector, because it always ended up using hundreds of megabytes. It’s only the exchange connector that does this. Fortunately Kontact also supports Exchange; I’m very happy with it (and the rest of KDE actually).

]]> By: mahasamoot http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5854 mahasamoot Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5854 I've just tryed evolution, kmail, and thunderbird/sunbird. After reading your article, I gave another look to evolution. <br /> <br /> They all have two problems in common:<br /> 1. None of them have proper message threading.<br /> 2. None of them load the full thread into the message window.<br /> <br /> The winner, hands down, is thunderbird/sunbird... <br /> <br /> Thunberbird has an addon to sync its address book with the Google address book, which is a huge plus. There's also an addon to use Google short cuts (eg. just hit 'y' to archive)--but even without, it still wins due to the "move to again" feature. So you don't have to go thru the folder menu list every time you want to move a message to youraccount/[gmail]/allmail, or youraccount/[gmail]/spam. All of this leads me to believe that it's likely that the problems above will be addressed.<br /> <br /> Sunbird has an addon to sync with your Google calendar. Thus, we've covered all the bases as far as syncing is concerned.<br /> ---------------------------<br /> <br /> Kmail/Kontact are in second...<br /> <br /> Kmail looses because there's no way to sync with Google's address book, and archiving is a pain--you have to right-click each message and go thru the youraccount --> gmail --> allmail dance (verses pressing 'y', or right-click, move to youraccount/[gmail]/allmail again). A plugin will sync the calendar with your Google calendar. On the plus side, the new kde4 version looks lovely with the oxygen widgets and such... but don't run it on KDE4.x, as encounters with that piece of shight will give you nightmares.<br /> ----------------------------<br /> <br /> Evolution came in last (by a little)...<br /> <br /> I gave evolution a second glance after reading your article. It's much the same as Kmail, but the plugin to sync with Google calendar didn't work for me.<br /> <br /> Cheers,<br /> ~Thomas I’ve just tryed evolution, kmail, and thunderbird/sunbird. After reading your article, I gave another look to evolution.

They all have two problems in common:
1. None of them have proper message threading.
2. None of them load the full thread into the message window.

The winner, hands down, is thunderbird/sunbird…

Thunberbird has an addon to sync its address book with the Google address book, which is a huge plus. There’s also an addon to use Google short cuts (eg. just hit ‘y’ to archive)–but even without, it still wins due to the “move to again” feature. So you don’t have to go thru the folder menu list every time you want to move a message to youraccount/[gmail]/allmail, or youraccount/[gmail]/spam. All of this leads me to believe that it’s likely that the problems above will be addressed.

Sunbird has an addon to sync with your Google calendar. Thus, we’ve covered all the bases as far as syncing is concerned.
—————————

Kmail/Kontact are in second…

Kmail looses because there’s no way to sync with Google’s address book, and archiving is a pain–you have to right-click each message and go thru the youraccount –> gmail –> allmail dance (verses pressing ‘y’, or right-click, move to youraccount/[gmail]/allmail again). A plugin will sync the calendar with your Google calendar. On the plus side, the new kde4 version looks lovely with the oxygen widgets and such… but don’t run it on KDE4.x, as encounters with that piece of shight will give you nightmares.
—————————-

Evolution came in last (by a little)…

I gave evolution a second glance after reading your article. It’s much the same as Kmail, but the plugin to sync with Google calendar didn’t work for me.

Cheers,
~Thomas

]]> By: ashsingh http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5855 ashsingh Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5855 Biggest problem for me is poor sync with Palm devices. Cannot see it ready for corporate use for a variety of reasons most of which are already in the mails. <br /> <br /> -Ashok Biggest problem for me is poor sync with Palm devices. Cannot see it ready for corporate use for a variety of reasons most of which are already in the mails.

-Ashok

]]> By: timrichardson http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5856 timrichardson Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5856 I use it on Debian lenny. Debian is of course pretty serious about the word "stable" so maybe that's why my experience has been extremely good. In fact, I love it. Outlook (I have Office 2003) drives me up the bloody wall in comparison to Evolution. Luckily, our Exchange server is not 2007. Evolution support for 2007 is still in development. I use it on Debian lenny. Debian is of course pretty serious about the word “stable” so maybe that’s why my experience has been extremely good. In fact, I love it. Outlook (I have Office 2003) drives me up the bloody wall in comparison to Evolution. Luckily, our Exchange server is not 2007. Evolution support for 2007 is still in development.

]]> By: sack http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5857 sack Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5857 I've tried using Evolution on Ubuntu, but I find it (Evolution) too slow. When using IMAP, Thunderbird is far quicker at displaying messages - in my experience. I’ve tried using Evolution on Ubuntu, but I find it (Evolution) too slow. When using IMAP, Thunderbird is far quicker at displaying messages – in my experience.

]]> By: efsouza http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5858 efsouza Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5858 Don't save mail in maildir format is the big problem on evolution. Kmail is fast and save mail in maildir format. I have mailbox greater than 5 GB and I have no problem for manipulation of this mailbox.<br /> <br /> Att Don’t save mail in maildir format is the big problem on evolution. Kmail is fast and save mail in maildir format. I have mailbox greater than 5 GB and I have no problem for manipulation of this mailbox.

Att

]]> By: fdeutschmann http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5859 fdeutschmann Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5859 It's funny: in the early years, 'Open Source' projects (e.g.: Emacs, Linux, gcc) really did offer substantial qualitative and quantitative advantages versus their closed-source cousins; these projects/tools were cutting edge and often responsible for introducing totally new concepts into the zeitgeist.<br /> <br /> Now we come to Evolution (ironic, that!) which seems to be struggling vainly to just meet the lowest level of the bar set by a commercial offering from the software development institution that everyone loves to hate. Even the (pretty bad) UI and UI functionality is copied sans improvement -- in fact, with reduced functionality. (What would be the fate of another closed-source entity that attempted this?!)<br /> <br /> Anyway, this state of affairs seems mighty sad and disappointing -- but of course, the bigger question is, does this reflect on just this project, or the principle of 'Open Source' in general...?<br /> -frank It’s funny: in the early years, ‘Open Source’ projects (e.g.: Emacs, Linux, gcc) really did offer substantial qualitative and quantitative advantages versus their closed-source cousins; these projects/tools were cutting edge and often responsible for introducing totally new concepts into the zeitgeist.

Now we come to Evolution (ironic, that!) which seems to be struggling vainly to just meet the lowest level of the bar set by a commercial offering from the software development institution that everyone loves to hate. Even the (pretty bad) UI and UI functionality is copied sans improvement — in fact, with reduced functionality. (What would be the fate of another closed-source entity that attempted this?!)

Anyway, this state of affairs seems mighty sad and disappointing — but of course, the bigger question is, does this reflect on just this project, or the principle of ‘Open Source’ in general…?
-frank

]]> By: richarson http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5860 richarson Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5860 @mahasamoot: I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean by 'archiving' but maybe this will help you: kmail has a very nice feature, which is single-key shortcuts.<br /> <br /> For example: n to compose a new email, f to forward an email, etc, and also m to move and c to copy an email or group of emails. By pressing one ofr those two letters, a hierarchy of folders shows up to select where to move/copy the email(s). That window filters as you type, so you can quickly find the destination folder.<br /> <br /> I have a notebook and I hate touchpads. I recently found those two shortcuts that made my life so much easier :)<br /> <br /> Cheers, @mahasamoot: I’m not sure I fully understand what you mean by ‘archiving’ but maybe this will help you: kmail has a very nice feature, which is single-key shortcuts.

For example: n to compose a new email, f to forward an email, etc, and also m to move and c to copy an email or group of emails. By pressing one ofr those two letters, a hierarchy of folders shows up to select where to move/copy the email(s). That window filters as you type, so you can quickly find the destination folder.

I have a notebook and I hate touchpads. I recently found those two shortcuts that made my life so much easier :)

Cheers,

]]> By: semenhyia http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5861 semenhyia Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7170/#comment-5861 i used it on OpenSuse 11.0, Sabayon 3.4 and Ubuntu. it was too eratic for my liking and kept crashing. it doesn't support exchange 2007. if it did, i could live with nursing it along but as it stands, too buggy to keep open all day long i used it on OpenSuse 11.0, Sabayon 3.4 and Ubuntu. it was too eratic for my liking and kept crashing. it doesn’t support exchange 2007. if it did, i could live with nursing it along but as it stands, too buggy to keep open all day long

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