If you need to access a Microsoft Exchange mailbox from a Linux/Unix system but prefer not to use Outlook Web Access, then you should consider the Ximian Evolution client with the Ximian Connector for Microsoft Exchange.
This solution provides a full-featured Exchange client that attempts to rival Microsoft Outlook on Windows computers. I'm going to provide you with an overview of installing and using Evolution, as well as discuss scenarios when using this client makes sense.
Exchange 2000
In order to connect, the Evolution Client with Exchange Connector requires an Exchange 2000 server with Outlook Web Access enabled. Exchange 5.5 and 2003 are not currently supported.
Installation
Installing the Evolution Client is very straightforward, even for a Linux novice like myself. The installation process focuses less on Exchange server connectivity, and more on system options and considerations. Besides being an Exchange client, Evolution can also be a POP3 mail client and offers full calendar, task, note, and contact management.
While requiring one of the above-mentioned Linux distributions, the Evolution client also requires wget for the installation. Wget is best described as a simultaneous download and install tool. Wget is included in Mandrake 9.1 (the Linux distribution I use in this example) and is also included in other popular distributions, depending on your installation options. It is also available as a free download. The Ximian Web site provides clear installation instructions. Figures A to I illustrate the installation process.
| Figure A |
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| Here's the welcome screen that appears after invoking the installation from the command line. |
| Figure B |
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| The installer verifies your RPM database. |
| Figure C |
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| Select a mirror site to download the software. |
| Figure D |
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| You can watch the progress of the download as the "#" signs multiply. |
| Figure E |
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| When the download is complete, the GUI installer launches. |
| Figure F |
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| The installer detects your Linux/Unix version. |
| Figure G |
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| You select the components for the installation. |
| Figure H |
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| You can watch of the download progress of packages needed for installation. |
| Figure I |
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| Finally, you will be prompted with an Installation Complete screen. |
Working with Evolution
The Evolution client has an intuitive interface, similar to that of Microsoft Outlook. Ximian Evolution mirrors most of the major functions that exist in Outlook. Figure J provides a look at the application.
You should have looked at Novell's site:
http://www.novell.com/products/connector/
because the Connector program supports both 2000 and 2003 Exchange servers (but not 5.5)