Recommendation for Simple in-office email App !!

[bjassin]

I have a question that I think people here can answer faster than I can. In fact, I have spent over 1 hour reading about MS Exchange server and a program called Workgroup Mail server, but they are not really what I want. In fact, the problem is I am not sure of what I need.

Here is the problem. I work in a small office that has about 12 people--each one has a computer and we are all connected just through basic windows networking--meaning you can go into someone elses computer to get files, but there is no central "server".

What I need is a simple type of "in-office" email program. I don't want it to use the internet--just to communicate only with the other computers that are on the same "workgroup". I want to be able to send other people email--preferrably using outlook, which everyone has installed. Right now we don't use any type of in-office email messaging system.

Any suggestions on exactly what it is that I need? I know I need some type of "server" program to be installed in one computer (eg. mine) and then "client" programs to be installed in all the others. Any suggestions on what would be the best?

The boss is willing to pay a "reasonable" amount of money for the program and the clients--hopefully around $100 total. Any ideas?

Thanks,

BJ

 

[Red and black]

You might as well use a real mail server.

You could set up cygwin with exim and uw-imap-imapd.

 

[bjassin]

Ok...So, what is the absolute SIMPLEST email server-type program to setup??

BJ

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: bjassin
Ok...So, what is the absolute SIMPLEST email server-type program to setup??

BJ

"Simple" and "mail server" really do not belong in the same sentence.

Why can't you just use your ISP's mail server to communicate inside the office? It shouldn't be a big deal, unless you're handling *huge* attachments... in which case file sharing would be a much more ideal solution.

 

[bjassin]

Thanks for the advice...I may have to endup going this way. The point of my question was that if I knew the email will only be going to connected computers in the same office, why bother going through the internet?

I am also afraid of some people getting spam-type email and then clicking on the links. We haven't really had any problems with viruses/worms/etc.--mainly because no one really uses the "internet" per se. Now using an ISP email system will open us up to all those problems.

Again, I can't believe that there isn't a simple "email"-type system that would work just for computers that are connected in a network without going through the internet.

BJ

 

[GeekDrew]

If you're not connected to the internet at all, then look into mail servers on tucows or something - there are a few small mail servers that are shareware or freeware... or at least there used to be. I've not used any of them, nor do I have any experience with them... I've only used Exchange and exim (which are not at all what you're wanting).

 

[Red and black]

Using a real mail server on your LAN doesn't imply that the "outer world" will be able to actually send mail to you.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Red and black
Using a real mail server on your LAN doesn't imply that the "outer world" will be able to actually send mail to you.

I must have missed the part where someone wanted that...?