Email & browser programs?

**Reckless** · 25th August 2009, 11:04

Hey all!
Not bike related in the least but you guys are the biggest group I'm close to.

I'm reformatting my computer and don't want to have to buy another MS Office, to many in the family now as well. So going to go totally Open office, been using it for a while now for work and play, seems all I need and more. Kids use it for varsity and don't have any issues there either.

Might use Google Chrome for my Browser, seems to have good reviews for use and speed.
But dumping Microsoft office means outlook is now out of the loop.

I don't suppose any will open my old saved outlook messages either although I PDF 90% of these for saving work emails so no big deal there??

What Browser & Email program do you use other than IE8 and Outlook!! Have you found them good compared the aforementioned?

Chrome and Mozilla Thunderbird
Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird
Opera does both email and browsing?
Seamonkey both email and browsing?

I'd start a pole but there is to many combinations and I just want to get a quick overview of whats liked and disliked!

Thanks in advance all!

**Oakie** · 25th August 2009, 11:13

I've been using Mozilla for e-mail and browsing for years. Does all I want it to do. There's actually a really good article in this months PC World about good free applications ... OpenOffice etc. Well worth a read

**javawocky** · 25th August 2009, 11:16

Email - gmail : Never looked back, its online everywhere and you can even use Thunderbird to download them if you like - I don't bother anymore with that, just use the web version.

Browser - Firefox is my main browser at for work. I am a programmer so its vital for testing web apps.

I use Chrome at home on one of my computers and like it lots.

If you are really really brave, why not give Ubuntu a test run? You can boot it from CD without damaging your hard drive to see if it works with your computer.

EDIT * Don't forget google docs for basic office stuff, I have Office installed, but always use google docs for non work related stuff.

**Blackshear** · 25th August 2009, 11:19

I have a hotmail account... So yes.
I would be using Opera were it not for the numerous Firefox addons, but even then Mozilla does everything I'd need it to without such addons.

**Slyer** · 25th August 2009, 11:21

Chrome or Firefox for browsing and Hotmail for email.
There's an application called "Windows live mail" which allows me to do everything with my two hotmail accounts. It also works seamlessly with the web based version on hotmail.com

**rainman** · 25th August 2009, 11:36

Originally Posted by Blackshear

I would be using Opera were it not for the numerous Firefox addons, but even then Mozilla does everything I'd need it to without such addons.

Firefox addons are a security nightmare. Just sayin'.

(That said, I do have a very few installed...)

I've used Thunderbird for a while and it does all I need for a fat mail client. The Opera mail function is also OK, a bit different to Outlook though but get used to it and it's quite nice. But, as has been said by others, most of my mail is on the web, so all I need is a browser.

**bogan** · 25th August 2009, 11:42

for me opera does everything i want without any addons, which always a good thing. 10beta has a spell checker as well, to go along with the speeddail, speed/data readouts, quick search, password wand, functions that are in all the other versions. Also i think its sposed to handle multi-tabbing better than other browsers (or it used to anyways, maybe, im nott too sure on that). And i use mozilla thunderbird (with gmail account) for emails, just sits in the system tray (with an addon) and has imap so its good to run and syncs up with all 3 of my computers.

**hospitalfood** · 25th August 2009, 12:06

GMAIL ! can't beat it.
all your emails and addresses stay on the ether. not in your computer. so you can get all your emails and addresses from any computer and it makes no difference if your own computer dies.

I can invite you to join gmail if you like, no cost, just PM your email address and i will send you an invite.

I use firefox and like it.

ps gmail also has massive amounts of space, no need to delete anything ever. think i have about 7 gb now. all free

**Reckless** · 25th August 2009, 12:11

Thanks so far all.
Don't want my emails web based, I'd be online 24/7? I get quite few pics and plan details for my architecture work, so on the computer is best for me.

My 3D CAD program is windows based so windows is a must . Have largely avoided Vista going to go straight from Xp to Windows 7 so that's not to bad!

Looking at the feedback FireFox gets a pretty good rap. Using chrome on my laptop. I find the bookmarks not quite so intuitive so might try FireFox and Thunderbird as a pair! Don't like the security comments though??

I use google toolbars spell checker but dunno if you can install that with FireFox?

**hospitalfood** · 25th August 2009, 12:14

Originally Posted by Reckless

I get quite few pics and plan details for my architecture work, so on the computer is best for me.

to me this is even more reason to use web based, no drama to download attachments and you have an auto like backup with masses of storage.
IMO you are making the wrong decision.

**bogan** · 25th August 2009, 12:17

Originally Posted by hospitalfood

to me this is even more reason to use web based, no drama to download attachments and you have an auto like backup with masses of storage.
IMO you are making the wrong decision.

If he can get fast enough internet (and files are small enough), dont wanna be waiting a minute for a picture to be downloaded for the 8th time.

**Reckless** · 25th August 2009, 12:24

Originally Posted by hospitalfood

to me this is even more reason to use web based, no drama to download attachments and you have an auto like backup with masses of storage.
IMO you are making the wrong decision.

You could be correct! But having them on my computer forces me to save the emails, pics and details into the relevent client file (as PDF's) so my bookkeeping is up to scratch. I can't imagine trying to find and email or detail I needed amongst 7gig of businsess history. A lot of the time you only need to save the last one of 5 emails anyway as it has all the previous history on it! So you can dump the previous 4. At least this way I can put a job to bed after it finished and only go there if I need to. Sometimes in my job finding & proving someone said something can be very important. I have my own backup this way as well.

Originally Posted by bogan

If he can get fast enough internet (and files are small enough), dont wanna be waiting a minute for a picture to be downloaded for the 8th time.

And that happens a lot!!!

**bungbung** · 25th August 2009, 13:26

The solution here is gmail, then use thunderbird to collect your mail using IMAP and lightning for the calendar.

You get a synchronised local copy of everything, and it all stilll exists at gmail for when you are away from your desk.