Re: [Fwd: Linux in high schools.]

[Adam Williams <awilliam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>It is great to see so much excitement on the Linux issue in school systems.
>>There have been many questions on what and how can Linux be used in a School
>>environment. Many people have given some good ideas but, I can not use them because
>>of the limits at this point.
>>Here are some things that I need, and if Linux can accomplish this than I might be
>>able to use it.
>>Below are the systems and programs that I need and what requirements that I am
>>looking for.
>>Emial:
>>1. The ability to share folders, calendar, and group lists.
>It sounds like you are looking for a near 'drop in replacement' for exchange. 
>You may want to look at HP's open mail which is NOT free software.  Although I
>heard a rumor that you can get something like 50 clients or less at no cost.  It
>is possible to get most all of the functionality of exchange for free, but some
>of that functionality will come from a web interface and in a number of
>components.  Hopefully some other people will chime in here and be more specific
>about those components.

OpenMail is free for something like 50 clients.  However, it is also a
dead product.

>Specifically if outlook 2k is the client I have succeded in getting an LDAP
>server to be a directory of names and addresses which is essentially shared.  M$
>has succeded in making it less functional with the outlook client then using
>exchange.

Could you add addresses with Outlook?  Searching an LDAP database is
supported by most Win32 mail clients,  but I haven't used Outlook in
some time and don't know if it lets you "bind" and add records.

>>2. Able to use aliases for email, a nice way to have a list.
>Sendmail can be administered to have aliases and lists which propogate to
>multiple useres.  It just does not have a graphical interface for administration
>that looks like exchage.

Sendmail doesn't have a GUI.  But you just tell it to get it's aliases
from LDAP and then admin them with whatever GUI LDAP browser you happen
to fancy.

>>3. The mail needs to be read from the work place (with the email client:  IE:
>>Outlook or Eudora) and with a web interface. This will allow teachers at conferences
>>to read the email and not have to configure a email client when they travel.

That is IMAP,  everything supports this.
 
>If all of the users are set up be IMAP clients then yes it would be possible to
>have a web interface to read e-mail.  I have never set it up.  There is a
>package that was recommended to me did not come up on a search i just did. 
>Maybe Bruce will be willing to remind me.

IMP.  Solid basic web-mail  Supports LDAP, etc...  a PHP application.

Mail transport is IMAP
Service information distributed by LDAP

The only thing I'm fuzzy on is calendars.  I think that is the whole
that Byarni seeks to fill, as they expect IMAP/LDAP/SMTP to be in place
external to their product.  I'm not sure what-for/how people use "shared
folders" or "calendars"  so I can't really address those things.  Can
you explain what exactly those terms mean (to you)?
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