What E-mail Program is Right for me?

E-mail Program Feature Comparison Tables
    Web-based
    Macintosh
    Windows
Web-based Program Descriptions
    inside SF State
    Webmail
Installed Program Descriptions
    Entourage
    Eudora
    Lotus Notes
    Mac Mail
    Outlook
    Outlook Express
    Thunderbird

A wide variety of e-mail programs can be used to access SF State e-mail.

Web-based e-mail programs allow e-mail access from any Web-enabled computer. Because software installation is not required, and messages are not stored on the user's computer, Web-based e-mail programs can be convenient for people who do not want to be limited to using a specific computer for e-mail access. These programs do, however, require an active Internet connection. Conversely, installed e-mail programs require initial setup, but provide the added convenience of off-line access.

The following tables compare the features of several commonly used e-mail programs. The descriptions below provide links to additional resources.

1. May not be available for all device types and models
2. Lotus Notes off-line access is possible by using local replication. Lotus Notes Offline Replication Guide
3. Allows reading and composing mail when not connected to the Internet (connection is required to retrieve and send e-mail)
4. Filtering not available with the recommended IMAP protocol
5. Unlike forwarded messages, bounced and redirected messages appear from the original sender "by way of" the account redirecting the message
6. Notes calendar (and e-mail) is server-based and integrated with inside.sfsu.edu, allowing authenticated users to access calendar data from any computer.
7. Group scheduling, and the sharing of availability or schedule details with others

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Web-Based Program Descriptions

inside SF State

inside SF State Web-based e-mail (inside.sfsu.edu and inside.sfsu.edu/portal) provides access to e-mail, calendar, and contacts through Firefox or Internet Explorer. inside SF State is available to SF State students, staff, and faculty who have moved their accounts to the Domino e-mail servers. To check whether your account has been moved, log in with your SFSU ID and e-mail password to http://www.sfsu.edu/email. If your account hasn't been moved, see the guide for Moving to the new E-mail Servers. For more information read the Getting started guide or the FAQ.

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Webmail

Webmail.sfsu.edu provides Web-based e-mail access, and meets Section 508 ADA accessibility standards. For more information read Using SFSU Webmail.

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Installed Program Descriptions

Entourage

Entourage is Microsoft's adaptation of Outlook for Mac OS X. It is available as part of Microsoft Office for Mac. To install or configure Entourage see the Entourage Installation & Configuration Guide.

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Eudora

Eudora is an e-mail program for both Windows and Macintosh. Qualcomm, the company that developed Eudora, is no longer providing support for Eudora and has stopped making bug or security fixes. Since the manufacturer no longer offers support, DoIT does not recommend it for new users. Thunderbird is a supported alternative to Eudora. To download, install, or configure Thunderbird read the Thunderbird Installation & Configuration Guide for Windows or the Thunderbird Installation & Configuration Guide for Macintosh.

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Lotus Notes

Lotus Notes provides an integrated mail and shared calendar system which includes contact management, To Do lists, and other featues. The Lotus Notes and inside SF State programs work together to allow consistent e-mail and calendar view from both the installed program and Web-based access methods. To download and configure Lotus Notes on your computer, read the Lotus Notes Installation Guide for Windows or the Lotus Notes Installation Guide for Macintosh / Update. Also available are the Lotus Notes Intro, FAQ, and Reference Guide.

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Mac Mail

Mac Mail is an e-mail program included with the OS X system for Apple's Macintosh. To download, install, or configure Mac Mail read the Mac Mail Installation & Configuration Guide

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Outlook

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Outlook Express

Outlook Express is an e-mail program and newsreader that is freely available with Internet Explorer for Windows or as a stand-alone program for Mac OS 8.1 to 9.x (it is not available for Mac OS X). To install or configure Outlook Express read the Outlook Express Installation & Configuration Guide.

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Thunderbird

Thunderbird is an open-source graphical e-mail program and newsreader developed by the Mozilla Foundation. It is freely available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. To download, install, or configure Thunderbird read the Thunderbird Installation & Configuration Guide for Windows or the Thunderbird Installation & Configuration Guide for Macintosh.

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Last Modified: 30 April 2008
doit@sfsu.edu