Imap, Option Or Not?

Hi all

I have been fiddling around the last couple of days trying to find a e-mail client that I like (other than Thunderbird unfortunately, no contact syncing capability, not that I have syncing working yet ).

Other than functionality (contacts, junk filtering etc.) and looks/feel, my main thing was I wanted to be able to use it from both Windows and Linux. Now with Thunderbird this was no problem as I could set the Linux TB to use the same mail folders as the Windows TB, so no matter which OS I was in, I would be able to check my mail. Now seeing as I can't rely on TB and none of the other mail apps can be used in the same way I did a search and the only other option seems to be to setup a IMAP server on my desktop pc which only runs Suse 10.3. Apparently this server will download and store all emails and I can then access it from anywhere on the LAN and, if I wanted, from the WAN (internet) as well, using any IMAP compatible mail client.

Now, for a relative novice, how easy/difficult would it be to setup a Suse 10.3 machine to run as a IMAP server? Is it even possible?

Thanks.

Now, for a relative novice, how easy/difficult would it be to setup a Suse 10.3 machine to run as a IMAP server? Is it even possible?[/b]

Relatively easy, not "simple", but easy enough.

A good method is to set up imap, then use fetchmail to get your mail from the remote servers you@yourusualaddress.com) imported to the imap server. Then you can use any method that supports imap to read the mail, TB, outlook (& express), evolution etc etc, or/and set up a webmail server such as squirrelmail for web access.

Unless you're going to register your IP address as a 'proper' domain, then outgoing mail will likely be bounced by remote servers, so you need to set up imap to send outgoing mail via your usual service providers smtp server.

Since there are a few parts to setting it up, probably best to look at each bit individually - get imap running, then investigate fetchmail, then look at a webmailclient rather than try to get your head round it all at once.

So the list reads ...

1. IMAP - Which app do you use to set this up or is it merely a service you have to activate in Suse?
2. Fetchmail - App to download your regular email into the IMAP server.
3. Setup any IMAP capable mail client. Can your contacts also be stored on the IMAP server and remotely retrieved?
4. Webmail - Is it not possible to access the IMAP server directly from outside the network?

Thanks.

1. IMAP - Which app do you use to set this up or is it merely a service you have to activate in Suse?[/b]

Dovecot

2. Fetchmail - App to download your regular email into the IMAP server.[/b]

AFAIK, its in the suse repos - no doubt someone who uses suse will correct me if I'm wrong.

3. Setup any IMAP capable mail client. Can your contacts also be stored on the IMAP server and remotely retrieved?[/b]

Common contacts sharing would be done through LDAP (another kettle of fish), or ...

[

4. Webmail - Is it not possible to access the IMAP server directly from outside the network?[/b]

Either, but you can set up an address book against accounts in most webmail clients, saving the LDAP route.