Home • ThinkDifferentStore • MacBoards • Advertising • RSS Syndication • Newsletter • Contact

I downloaded the final release of Eudora 5.1 last evening, and gave it a whirl. Qualcomm gives you the choice of downloading either a full installer or an updater patch for your previously installed Eudora 5.0.x, however, the file sizes are not much different, so I opted for the full installer so I could do a clean install.

Prior to running the installer, I made a backup copy of the Eudora folder in my system folder just in case, even though I have never run into any difficulty installing any version of Eudora, including betas, dating back to Eudora Light 1.5.

I then trashed my Eudora 5.0.1 Application folder, and ran the installer, which takes just a minute or two to do its stuff, even on my relatively slow 233 MHz G3. No restart is required after running the installer.

I started Eudora 5.1, and it recognized my existing Eudora folder without any problems. This is a very easy and painless upgrade.

There are no significant interface changes, but subjectively, Eudora 5.1, in my short experience with it thus far, seems to be perhaps a little quicker. Users with faster machines may not notice this at all.

As I have written here before, I consider Eudora to be the cream of the crop in full-featured, heavy-duty, e-mail clients, and it is the one I would choose without hesitation, were I to be limited to just one e-mail application. Other clients may do particular tasks better than Eudora -- for example, Nisus Email's wonderful one-click messaging -- but no other client handles e-mail as comprehensively well as Eudora does.

Improvements in this latest 5.1 version of Eudora include:
• Support for RSA SSL Security -- Includes the widely used RSA SSL security for heightened privacy. Allows secure connections through POP, IMAP or SMTP servers for sending and receiving e-mail.
• Support for Apple Computer's Mac OS X -- Provides users with a native solution for e-mail under Mac OS X. Eudora is the first third-party e-mail client available natively for Mac OS X. This version of Eudora is currently in beta test and can be downloaded at http://www.eudora.com.
• Improved Eudora Sharing Protocol Feature -- Enhanced Wizard guides users through the set-up process for file sharing. Supports file moves and illustrates share group file updates in an activity log in the user interface.
• Address Book Syncing -- Mac users are now able to synchronize address book entries between their desktop e-mail client and their Palm OS-based device via the EudoraMail conduit.
• A conduit for syncing the Eudora Address Book with your Palm OS-based device
• In-line signature editing
• Save photos of your friends
• Drag'n'drop nicknames to the Toolbar allows quick creation of new messages
• "Save As" for address book entries using comma separated values that can easily be imported into databases
• vCard support now integrates with the Address Book
• In-line flagging of words or phrases identified by MoodWatch as potentially offensive

• Work with ESP documents without having to leave Eudora

What is SSL?
• SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer, and is a shorthand way of referring to the standard method for encryption and authentication on the Internet.
• SSL provides standard Internet protocol privacy protection from 3rd party interception of your data
• For more details visit the Certicom SSL Plus Web site at http://www.certicom.com

Returning features in Eudora 5.1:
• Eudora is a standalone email program that works with any ISP that uses standard Internet email protocols.
• An Internet email software program for managing email (especially good for moderate and heavy email users).
• An email program that resides on the user's desktop (like Microsoft Outlook or Netscape Messenger, but better).
• An email program that synchronizes very quickly with Eudora for the Palm.
• Eudora Sharing Protocol (ESP): allows users to automatically sync files to keep family, friends and co-workers up to date.
• MoodWatch: a fun new feature that warns users about flame content in outgoing and incoming emails.
• Email Usage Stats: offers personal and interesting insight to a user's day-to-day email activity and patterns.
• Import enhancements: Easy import from other common email clients.
• 3 Modes: Eudora operates in any of three modes - you choose. Sponsored mode provides the full-featured program for free by displaying a series of static onscreen advertisements that don't interfere with your email workspace. I actually enjoy the little ads, which are colorful, tasteful, and often interesting.

With the Paid mode option you can purchase the same full-featured program for $39.95 (including a $10 rebate) and you won't have any ads in the application. Or you may also choose to use Eudora in Light mode with a reduced feature set and no ads, for free.

System Requirements:

Eudora for Mac OS
• Macintosh PowerPC or better
• Mac OS System 8.1 or later
• An Internet mail account that uses POP3 protocol with an Internet Service Provider or a network connection
• Access to the mail account via PPP dial-up networking using a modem or a TCP/IP Internet-style network connection or
• To use QUALCOMM PureVoice™ plug-in for Eudora, microphone required

Eudora 5.1 e-mail software can be downloaded at:
http://www.eudora.com

For my full review of Eudora (5.0) visit:
http://www.applelinks.com/mooresviews/eudora5.shtml

Charles W. Moore

.