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We were able to quickly and easily add all the users in the NT user database into the MailSite server. It allowed us to select individual users or user groups, which we couldn't do with NTMail. Creating mailing lists was as easy as selecting an NT user group. Any NT users that had an existing mail account and belonged to the group would be automatically added to the list. Using the NT User Administration program we highlighted users and added them to the "p2-2.uw.nwc.com" domain. Unfortunately, each mailing list can only be assigned one NT user group. It would have been nice to be able to add multiple groups to a list rather than create new user groups to accommodate a bigger list. We sent test messages to the "networkcomputing" mailing list, then logged into the mailing list configuration menu in the WUI, which allowed us to grant, deny or defer messages. Moderators can edit the message and allow it to be posted with changes.

MailSite's management WUI was easier to navigate than CommuniGate Pro's but it didn't measure up to the interface in NTMail. The WUI only provides access to common configuration options, such as mailbox and message-size restrictions and auto-reply status. The MailSite Console GUI management application can be installed elsewhere on the network.

QUALCOMM Eudora WorldMail 2.0 for Windows NT
WorldMail is not as feature-rich as any of its competitors. Providing little in the way of Web configuration and user utilities, WorldMail is basically an OEM version of an earlier N-Plex product and bears a striking resemblance to N-Plex Global. Under the hood, however, it's clear that WorldMail is stripped down to the chassis. N-Plex Global adds message filters and scalability features, such as distributed mail domains. WorldMail also lacks a complete WUI for user mail access and only offers access to auto-reply and password settings. Security options and account restrictions are also less flexible than in N-Plex Global.

Still, WorldMail does do some things better than N-Plex Global. WorldMail server is installed with the Web/Internet directory already set up. We did not need to add users to a domain and then add them to the directory--required tasks with N-Plex Global. While this made it easier to get up and running, WorldMail is generally overshadowed by ISOCOR's more refined N-Plex Global. ISOCOR has now dropped its lower-end mail servers from the product line, which may create a nice niche for WorldMail.

The bottom line, though, is that WorldMail isn't nearly as enjoyable to use as N-Plex Global. It's not an enterprise solution, but it might be adequate for smaller shops with limited security and scalability concerns.

Vintra Systems Mail Server Professional 2.50
Although similar to NTMail in that it has a single Web interface for all management and configuration, Mail Server Pro falls miserably short of NTMail. The Web interface is for configuration of system information only, and options are limited to the bare essentials. Although Mail Server Pro will allow user information to be extracted from the NT user database, Registry or other external database, setting up the users is clunky and inefficient. Vintra Mail Server Pro has basic SMTP, IMAP and POP3 functionality with no bells and whistles. Despite its low price, we suspect most administrators will be hard-pressed to choose Vintra Mail Server Pro over any of the other products we tested.

Other missing features include message size and store restrictions, basic directory services or address book, and mailing lists and shared public IMAP folders. Without these features, Mail Server Pro could easily be outgunned by freeware mail servers readily available on the Web.

Vintra Mail Server Pro does have very good online documentation. We were able to successfully follow the online help to create a new database of users and use it with Mail Server Pro. Using Microsoft Access 97, we created the table according to the specifications and populated it with user data. A few clicks in the WUI, and we were up and running with our user accounts. Unfortunately, this was the only bright spot.

Send your comments on this article to Gregory Yerxa at gyerxa@nwc.com.