Ximian Evolution: An Introduction

Ximian Evolution, a personal and workgroup information management tool for Linux and UNIX-based systems that features email, calendaring, address books, and task list management, is free to use out of the box. A separately licensed add-on, Ximian® Connector, allows Evolution to function as a Microsoft Exchange Client on Microsoft Exchange 2000 or 2003 servers.

That doesn't mean you need to purchase the Connector to communicate with an Exchange server; you can use Evolution like any POP or IMAP email client (like Outlook Express or Mozilla Mail). In fact, Evolution supports a variety of communications and data interchange standards, including IMAP, POP3, vCard, iCalendar and LDAP, enabling it to be tightly integrated into corporate networks and messaging systems. Users of Microsoft Outlook will find the similarities in look-and-feel between the two products makes for an easy transition.

Ximian Evolution provides all the standard email handling features plus powerful mailbox management using vFolders™, user-defined filters, and quick searches. The address book works with the mailer for autocompletion of addresses and easy addition of address entries. The calendar supports multiple date views and allows users to create and confirm group meetings online, even with Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes users. Both address cards and calendar events can be sent and received by email, and PalmOS devices can synchronize with the calendar, address book, and to-do list.

Additionally Ximian Evolution includes sound alerts, a bounce-mail function, faster performance, and advanced filter criteria. Ximian Connector expanded feature set include scheduling group meetings, viewing free/busy time, access to public folders, access delegation, direct resource booking, ability to notify people when you are out of the office and a smart account assistant for easy setup. Check the application manuals for full details.

More information on Ximian Evolution can be obtained at http://www.ximian.com/products/evolution/.

Ximian Evolution: I want it

Evolution is sometimes included with installs of Red Hat Linux and the Fedora Project. Check to make sure you don't already have a copy before proceeding.

Linux users can quickly download the package using Ximian's automatic download and install. There is nothing to download first, just follow the instructions below.

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Using the su command, become superuser (root).
3. Type the following command or cut and paste it into your terminal:
   
         wget -q -O - http://go.ximian.com | sh
   
   *Note that the | character above is the "pipe" symbol, obtained by pressing SHIFT-\ on most keyboards.

This will automatically download and run the Ximian Installer, which will allow you to choose the software you wish to install. Once you make your selections, the packages will be fetched from the Internet and installed automatically.