Evolution as Outlook replacement email client for MSN mail?
 

Does anyone know how (or if posssible) to connect Evolution email client to MSN mail?

I've had the same msn personal email account ( "...@msn.com" vice "...@hotmail.com") since MSN started back in early 90's, so have too much history with that address to chuck it, but would just like to be able to use Evolotion as a desktop client the way I used to be able to use Outlook.

Thanks.

evolution as outlook replacement
 

First, make sure your system is up to date. Open up a terminal and type:


Code:
sudo apt-get update
Now, install the inet daemon


Code:
sudo apt-get install inetutils-inetd
This takes care of all of our dependencies. Now on to the good stuff...


Code:
sudo apt-get install hotway hotsmtp
This will install hotway, which allows you to read hotmail e-mails by simulating a POP3 server, and hotsmtpd, which allows you to send e-mail through hotmail using SMTP. By default, however, only hotway gets installed properly to your inet daemon, so let's fix this.


Code:
sudo gedit /etc/inetd.conf
Look for a line like this:


Code:
pop3 stream tcp nowait nobody /usr/sbin/tcpd /usr/bin/hotwayd
By default, hotway leaves a copy of each message it downloads on the server. I prefer it this way, so I can read my e-mail at other locations, but if you don't feel like filling up your hotmail box, change the line to add "-r" to the end, like this:


Code:
pop3 stream tcp nowait nobody /usr/sbin/tcpd /usr/bin/hotwayd -r
And we also need to add a line to get hotsmtpd working, just paste this at the bottom:


Code:
2500 stream tcp nowait nobody /usr/sbin/tcpd /usr/bin/hotsmtpd
This will set the inet daemon to listen to incoming calls on port 2500, and forward the connection to the hotsmtp daemon. Now, save your file, exit gedit, and restart your inetd server:


Code:
sudo /etc/init.d/inetutils-inetd restart
If everything is working properly, you'll see this pop up on your screen:


Code:
* Restarting internet superserver inetd [ ok ]
Now, close out of your terminal and start up Evolution. It may pop up the first-time use wizard, you can use that if you like. Or, you may have to go to Edit->Preferences and hit the Mail Accounts button on the left. However you choose to do it, here's your information:

Email Address: xxx@hotmail.com (fill in your normal e-mail address that you use to login to hotmail)

Receive Server type: POP
Server: 127.0.0.1
Username: xxx@hotmail.com (same as above)
Security: No encryption
Authentication type: Password
(Remember password checkbox is up to you)

Send Server type: SMTP
Server: 127.0.0.1:2500
[X] Server requires authentication (check this box)
Use Secure Connection: No encryption
Authentication Type: PLAIN
Username: xxx@hotmail.com (same as above)
(Optional Remember password checkbox)

-------------------------------------

cwej, You can use Evolution with both these email accounts, just as using Outlook.

When Evolution starts (and isn't configured yet), there's a wizard to enter username, password, pop server and mail server - use the same data as in Outlook. - That's absolutely all.

---
@unisol: Aaargh, we've had that before, haven't we. - Evolution can be used out-of-the-box, by just entering the user information.

Unisol:

Thank you. I learned a lot there. Every action performed in the terminal functioned exactly as you described it, flawlessly.

However, in the end, after having opened Evolution and edited mail preferences exactly as described, the "Send/Receive" remains blanked out (disabled) and my test message remains in the outbox -- no connection seems to have been enabled.

I wonder if there is some stap that I have missed? Any ideas? cwej

Hmm, just created an MSN account myself, for a test. It's really official information, that you can send and receive emails with that account and non-web mail clients, but when I try to connect, I get the error:
"Command not implemented" should mean, that mail server has been crippled in a way...

I'm sorry for my misleading advices...

No problem, understand fully. Actually, the whole process was very instructive. I suspect that MS has intentionally ensured that only Outlook (/Outlook express) works properly with MSN mail. Make sense. Consistent. I'm seriously considering cutting the last umbilical thread with MS once and for all. Again thanks for the expert advice, and going the extra mile with the regression testing. Cheers.

Hi, I have no idea if this'll work in linux (haven't tried yet) but you may want to try this out : http://webmail.mozdev.org/
It worked great for me in windoze until the MSN box got spammed up and MS cut off my access to it :-D

I know it isn't for Evolution, but well, just thought I may mention that there may be another solution...

Appreciate the tip. --Thanks