Evolution

When you select Compose, you have an option to select the account you would like to send from in the From field.

You also have the usual options of To, Cc, Bcc, and Subject. Evolution also has a feature I did not expect: "vFolders." These are virtual folders that are based on filters you apply to other folder sources. I realize that sounds a little convoluted, so let me explain.

VFolders are basically a filter that puts a container around your e-mail. Normal filters, which Evolution does support, are typically used to automatically delete spam, or to categorize e-mail into different folders.

A virtual folder is different. A virtual folder can be used across multiple sources. For example, if you are in a discussion with a development team that has four members, and you filter all of those members to their own mail folder, how do you view the entire thread without going through each mail folder? The answer is a vFolder. The vFolder doesn't actually move the mail; it just allows you to select specific criteria across all of the members' mail folders, and then makes it viewable in a virtual folder.

The calendaring portion of Evolution is definitely not finished. I added one appointment and then went on to other tasks. When I tried to go back to the calendar, it just hung. I restarted Evolution and received the same result. However, Helix Code gives fair warning about these problems, specifically stating that it is preview software and not yet complete.

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This article was originally published on December 20, 2000