Try this: http://www.eudora.com/

That was my first choice, just wondering if there is anything new out.

What about opera?
Since I'm on linux I use Mutt or Pine. There is a PC version of Pine which I liked, but if you're used to windows then you'll probably hate it.

Eudora. It's great. And now it's free as long as you don't mind the ads (they are out of the way). I use Eudora 4.0, no ads. I paid for it before it became free. You can also pay for the 5.0 to remove the ads.

It's a top notch program. I manage 7 boxes easily, lots of folders, I have filters to automatically put the mail in the right location depending on who it's from or where it's to. It's easier to use IMHO than the one MS gives you.

I don't know if it is the "best", but Netscape email works fine.

I have used Pegasus Email for eight years now. It is free. It is bug free. I give it very high recommendations.

See the Pamil web site.

Some features:

Mail filtering; Pegasus Mail pioneered this in 1991, and it's still the most powerful implementation of automated rule-based filtering you'll find in a mail client.

• MailMerge allows you to create customized form letters to multiple recipients
• Support for all major Internet mail-related protocols - SMTP, POP3, IMAP4, LDAP, PH
• Distribution lists allow easy management of large mailing databases
• Support for multiple "identities" - easily-selectable groups of preference settings
• Support for multiple users on the same machine as well as on networks.
• Multiple folder formats and the ability to "mount" other users mailboxes on your desktop
• Powerful message editor with full formatting capabilities
• Full support for the Internet MIME protocol, including digests and alternative message types
• Powerful, multiple addressbooks with aliasing ("nicknames") and full user detail records
• Automatic listing of local users
• Complete support for Novell NetWare local area networks, in both NDS and Bindery modes.
• Selective download allows you to preview a POP3 mailbox before downloading it.
• Offline operation allows you to read and compose your mail while you are not connected to the Internet.
• Many ease-of-use features, including easily-accessible lists of recently-used addresses, directories and files, and address completion in any address field.
• Message reader supports wrapping options to handle even the most deviant messages
• Rich plugin interface allows third-party extensions and mail forms to be developed
• Template interface allows you to design complex mail forms using a simple text editor
• Spelling checker, with UK English and US English dictionary, and user dictionary additions.
• Highlight signficant messages using your own colour schemes
• Sort your mail by date, size, sender, subject, colour or thread, in ascending or descending order
• View attachments directly from within the program
• Supports confirmation of reading and confirmation of delivery requests
• Glossaries allow you to store commonly-used texts and expand them with a single keystroke
• Automatic replies and automatic forwarding when interfaced with our Mercury mail server
• Powerful encryption interface - the program has its own encryptor, and by adding readily available plugins, can support encryptors such as PGP.
• Noticeboards allow controlled posting and reading in public mail areas, much like Internet news.
• Optional copies to self ("sent mail" in other programs), with the ability to prompt for a folder where the copy should be placed, and full mail filtering support to file your copies.
• Selectable and user-adjustable toolbars
• Incredibly rich preferences set allows you to control practically every aspect of the program
• Rich options for reporting new mail while the program is minimized on your desktop
• Automatic hyperlinking of URLs and e-mail addresses, even in non-HTML messages
• Over 300KB of well-indexed, logically-arranged online help
• Drag and drop attachments from the desktop to Pegasus Mail
• Notepads give you an easily-accessible workspace for storing notes and work in progress
• Circulation messages allow you to send a message or document to successive people in order for comment and amendment.
• Full DDE interface
• Telephone message form for the office environment
• Support for multiple simultaneously accessible POP3 and IMAP mailboxes.
• Powerful Select feature allows you to select messages based on arbitrarily complex conditions
• ... and much more. The program is free - download it and see if it has the features you need.

Does Opera work with XP? I know, I know... but I already paid for it..

Sounds a little to good to be true, are you a salesman?

We use Eudora.

are you a salesman

Nope. Just a very happy customer.

I've used eudora in various forms for about 5+ years now. The version I use (4.0 eudora pro) has a few quirks, but it's powerful and reliable.

You sold me on the "free" part... I'm checking it out now!

In addition to Eudora, checkout PocoMail (shareware $25), and the new 32-bit Pegasus Mail (freeware).

According to this page Opera does work under XP.
If you're bandwidth limited download the version w/o Java. Its only 3.2MB. With it is goes up to 10.7MB. Its the only browser I use now.

Why not just get an e-mail integrated anti-virus program? WIth that, and a few changes to Outlook options you would be fine. Just my 2 cents.

FReegards

When you say a few changes to Outlook, what specifically do you mean? (And do you mean Outlook Express?) I use Outlook Express with Norton Antivirus software, but if there's something I could be doing to tweak it, I'd like to know. Thanks.

The design of Outlook makes it very susceptable to viruses. If you look any list of viruses you will that most of them have come through Outlook. Anti-virus checkers for Outlook do a great job with the KNOWN viruses. It is the new ones that cause all the trouble. By the time the virus checker gets updated, massive damage has already occured.