Novell has announced its Connector for Microsoft Exchange Server will be integrated into Evolution 2.0 and made available as open source.
Evolution is Novell`s award-winning e-mail and workgroup client for Linux and is the most widely used collaboration suite on Linux.
Evolution Connector allows Microsoft Exchange Server 2000/2003 users to easily manage their e-mail, calendars, group schedules, address books, public folders and tasks from Linux desktops.
"As companies deploy Linux on the desktop, they must ensure that users of either Windows or Linux can collaborate with each other using existing back-end systems and familiar processes," says Allison Singh, systems engineering manager at Novell SA.
"Technologies like the Connector which allow Linux desktops to operate inside a mixed proprietary/open source environment make choosing a Linux desktop easier for IT administrators. With the release of the Connector source code, the entire Evolution product is now available under the GNU General Public Licence, and we`re excited that customers are going to see the benefits in Novell`s next Linux desktop as well as in future releases of SUSE Linux."
Novell Evolution 2.0 includes a number of new features aimed at improving user productivity and collaboration, such as built-in spam filtering, S/MIME and PGP security certificate management, and tight integration with the Linux desktop and Gaim instant messaging client. Evolution supports key data exchange and communications standards, such as IMAP, POP, SMTP, LDAP and iCalendar, and features vFolders, threaded e-mail view, in-line text editing and synchronisation with Palm and PocketPC handheld devices.
In addition to support for Microsoft Exchange, Evolution 2.0 features integrated support for the newly available Novell GroupWise 6.5 for Linux, giving users the ability to use Evolution to access their GroupWise mail, calendars, contacts and global address books. Other features new to Evolution 2.0 include improved offline support for IMAP accounts, calendar improvements and enhanced contact management. These enhancements complement current Evolution collaboration capabilities including the Connector for Novell`s SUSE Linux Openexchange Server.
Availability
Novell Evolution 2.0 will be available in the third quarter as part of Novell`s Linux desktop. For more information about Evolution, visit http://www.novell.com/products/evolution. The Evolution Connector for Microsoft Exchange Server source code can be found at http://ftp.ximian.com, and developer information about Evolution can be found at http://www.gnome.org/projects/evolution. The Connector code is now available to the public along with the rest of Evolution under the terms of the GNU General Public Licence (GPL). Beginning 14 May, current Evolution users will be able to download Connector for Microsoft Exchange Server for no charge at http://www.novell.com/products/connector/download.html.
Share
Novell, Inc (Nasdaq: NOVL) is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell Nsure), Web application development (Novell exteNd) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell Ngage). Active in the open source community with its Ximian and SUSE Linux brands, Novell provides a full range of Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell`s vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realise the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell`s Customer Response Centre at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.
Editorial contacts