This topic has popped over over the last 6 years several times, but I have not seen it in awhile. I figured I would post this to see if anyone has any new experiences with the latest versions of everything...
I have been trying to provide a completely seemless, integrated email account for my registered VB users for sometime. So far, the results have not been encouraging. I would appreciate any feedback and suggestions you guys may have. Here are some details:
GOAL: When a user registers on VB, he/she is given a free web-based email account at the same domain name as the VB. The user is required to verify a seperate email address, but then the user's "VB email address" seen by others is the local email account. There should be a skinable interface so that all email functions appear fully integrated. The standard VB control panel should be the ONLY tool needed by the users.
BONUSES: The system can use a catch-all, but an integrated POP3/SMTP server would be a bonus. Full groupware functionality is not really needed, as most of that is in VB itself. A high-end email composition interface would be nice. The ability to go out and check other POP3 accounts would also be nice.
TRIED SO FAR:
HIVEMAIL - The cleanest interface I believe, but it is basically long since dead. Even when it was alive, most users felt it was dead.
SOCKETMAIL LITE: Nice package - I actually bought it - but VB integration is a joke. It works in reverse, you have to register in SocketMail and then a cron job or other mechanism created the VB account. Too many integration issues to list here. FOr about 6 months they have promised further integration development, but it has not happened. At this point I do not beleive it will ever happen.
WORLD WIDE MESSENGER: I have not tried this, but the integration appears great. The features are on the lite side and I am not real fond of the interface. Anyone have experience with it?
GOSSAMER MAIL: Way too expensive for anything but commercial applications. Never tried it for that reason.
Thanks for any feedback in advance...
So far, nothing is perfect. By the way, two facts to consider: Since early 2000 the VB Development Team has been promising this functionality (along with a CMS) - just search the forum. Also, almost every other BB includes this functionality or has a number of free/low cost plugins. So why doesn't VB have it? I still believe VB is the best BB, and so I plan to stick with it - but just need this to work someday. :-)
I have been trying to provide a completely seemless, integrated email account for my registered VB users for sometime. So far, the results have not been encouraging. I would appreciate any feedback and suggestions you guys may have. Here are some details:
GOAL: When a user registers on VB, he/she is given a free web-based email account at the same domain name as the VB. The user is required to verify a seperate email address, but then the user's "VB email address" seen by others is the local email account. There should be a skinable interface so that all email functions appear fully integrated. The standard VB control panel should be the ONLY tool needed by the users.
BONUSES: The system can use a catch-all, but an integrated POP3/SMTP server would be a bonus. Full groupware functionality is not really needed, as most of that is in VB itself. A high-end email composition interface would be nice. The ability to go out and check other POP3 accounts would also be nice.
TRIED SO FAR:
HIVEMAIL - The cleanest interface I believe, but it is basically long since dead. Even when it was alive, most users felt it was dead.
SOCKETMAIL LITE: Nice package - I actually bought it - but VB integration is a joke. It works in reverse, you have to register in SocketMail and then a cron job or other mechanism created the VB account. Too many integration issues to list here. FOr about 6 months they have promised further integration development, but it has not happened. At this point I do not beleive it will ever happen.
WORLD WIDE MESSENGER: I have not tried this, but the integration appears great. The features are on the lite side and I am not real fond of the interface. Anyone have experience with it?
GOSSAMER MAIL: Way too expensive for anything but commercial applications. Never tried it for that reason.
Thanks for any feedback in advance...
So far, nothing is perfect. By the way, two facts to consider: Since early 2000 the VB Development Team has been promising this functionality (along with a CMS) - just search the forum. Also, almost every other BB includes this functionality or has a number of free/low cost plugins. So why doesn't VB have it? I still believe VB is the best BB, and so I plan to stick with it - but just need this to work someday. :-)
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