GPL Linux Exchange Replacement

[hunterdw]

Is there really a true GPL Exchange 5.5/2000 replacement for Linux?

I've found bits and pieces... separate web-based utilities for contacts and calendaring, but nothing that does what would like.

My users are happy with Outlook. They love doing email and contacts/calendaring there. I would like to keep them on outlook of possible.

The CALs are killing our TCO for Windoze and Exchange. I'd like the following:

Linux server running a groupware app that does email (and suppports POP3/IMAP), shared contacts, shared calendaring

I should be able to use Outlook 98/2k/xp to access the same.

Does it exist? It's not like a ask for much

Ive found a few commercial programs, but would like a GPL version so I can play with the source and customize it.

I've already moved several apps to Linux servers, and am migrating all file/print servers from NT/2k to Linux over the Christmas shutdown.

Help if you can...

Cheers,

--DW

-----
Daryl W. Hunter
Director of IT
Ennovation Associates, LLC

http://www.ennovationai.com

daryl.hunter@ennovationai.com

 

[fluid11]

I really don't think that your going to find a single open source package that does everything Exchange does. A lot of people have asked that question before and it never gets answered.

If you want a commercial groupware product that will run on Linux, I would take a look at Lotus Domino 6. Domino does everything Exchange does, and does a lot of it better. Domino's web-interface is much better than Exchange's OWA. Domino is slightly cheaper than Exchange as far as licensing goes, but I think you also get free tech support and upgrade insurance as well.

The downside about Domino is that its a big pain to configure. It comes with a high learning curve.


Chris

 

[hunterdw]

Thanks Chris--

I ran Domino from R3-R5 at different companies. I remember the migration from R4.6 to R5 and cringe when I think of it.

I'd rather avoid that if possible.

I'm looking heavily at

http://www.phpgroupware.org

and just taking the calendar/contacts to the web. Then, my users can continue to use Outlook for mail. I've been a sendmail users for 15+ years on my home domain, so I'd probably just set that up in IMAP/POP3 formats.

Although since I'm in Fort Worth, I may give the folks at

http://www.bynari.net

a call. It isn't GPL, but they are in Dallas and I'd have quick support.

If anyone else out there has good advice, please continue to post...

--DW

-----
Daryl W. Hunter
Director of IT
Ennovation Associates, LLC

http://www.ennovationai.com

daryl.hunter@ennovationai.com

daryl@hunterfam.net

http://www.hunterfam.net

 

[fluid11]

You might also want to look into Communigate Pro -->

http://www.stalker.com/cpro/default.html.

I haven't used it, but I know someone who uses it at an ISP and they love it.


ChrisP

 

[Norwich]

Hi,

There are quite a few apps that will provide some of the functionality - however, the big 'hole' is lack of an intergrated, shared, GPL calandering/appointments system at the mo. If that is one of the main functions you use with exchange, then it is going to be your biggest headache to replace.

 

[rycamor]

For another commercial product, check out Volution Messaging Server by Caldera.

And here's a promising GPL app: PHProjekt (

http://www.phprojekt.com)

It doesn't have a good web-based email system, but it might be possible to combine it in some way with Squirrelmail, using IMAP, so that shared folders are possible (

http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/onlamp/2002/10/24/squirrelmail.html)

Also, there is a plug-in that allows PHProjekt to import Outlook address books, and I'm sure there are other add-ons on the way.

I have messed with the source to PHProjekt a little. It's not the prettiest code in there, but it is fairly modular and easy to figure out. -------------------------------------------

Big Brother: "War is Peace" -- Big Business: "Suspicion is Trust"
(

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/tcpa-faq.html)

 

[jrjuiliano]

Supposedly Suse has a "drop in" replacement for Exchange 5.5 systems, but it's not necessarily cheap up front either.

http://www.suse.com/us/business/products/suse_business/openexchange/

In the future there is also going to be the Kroupware project by the KDE guys (man, why does everything have to start with a "K" ).

http://kroupware.kde.org/

Some ideas, anyway...
HTH J.R. Juiliano
Information Systems Specialist
Tri-City Emergency Medical Group