MS Outlook alternative: Sylpheed or Evolution?

Weapon S · 09-13-2014, 04:19 PM

I'm looking into replacing somebody's Windows XP with Linux (no comments on that, please). That person hardly uses anything besides Internet Explorer and Outlook.
I have two Outlook-like programs as candidates: Sylpheed and Evolution. I don't use a mail program myself, so I'm looking on advice on the following:

Which one has an interface most resemblant to Outlook? (With or without configuration?)
Which one is the most stable (i.e. has the fewest quirks)?

Sylpheed is a candidate, mainly because it seems it might have less of a footprint (old laptop: small difference might matter).
Any advice appreciated. Thanks for reading.

schneidz · 09-13-2014, 04:54 PM

i use outlook at work and evolution at home.

both are easy and obviously different.

jdkaye · 09-14-2014, 02:57 AM

You might want to consider Thunderbird. I do volunteer work helping pensioners (I'm one myself) with IT skills. I've been working with an 84 year-old woman who is now using Thunderbird with no great difficulty. I have no idea how close or far it is from Outlook. I've never used it.
jdk

syg00 · 09-14-2014, 04:13 AM

+1.
I used to use claws for all the machines in the house, but transitioned my good lady (minimal IT skills) to TBird a while back. She loves it.

Evolution kept losing its own mail - the mail was recoverable, but Evolution wouldn't find it, so I moved away from it years ago. I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy.

jkirchner · 09-14-2014, 06:44 AM

Since they are free to try I'd give more than one a go but, I agree with the last two, my recommendation would be Thunderbird.

ondoho · 09-14-2014, 07:08 AM

thunderbird = not so lightweight. 100% cross-platform. windows AND linux.

sylpheed = simple and lightweight. windows and linux.

evolution = not lightweight. linux only (afaik gnome/unity only).

claws = powerful, lightweight, advanced user.

frankbell · 09-14-2014, 09:48 PM

I would not recommend Sylpheed/Claws for the type of user you describe.

I really like Sylpheed/Claws, but, for one thing, it defaults to plain text. In order to view an HTML email as HTML, you need a plugin. It may be too great a leap for a casual Windows user.