Zimbra Desktop 4.42 Build 9228

Overview

Zimbra Desktop is a powerful new management application that lets you synchronize your online correspondence (e-mail/contacts/calendar) and files with an online cloud data storage account on an automated basis. The software protects you from data loss, helps you manage file networks, and makes it possible to access your files from anywhere in the world.

Installation

With a file size of more than 90 MB, the download is quite large in comparison to most other software nowadays. However, the installation process is as straightforward as can be, and the only challenging part is avoiding the third-party toolbar and homepage change that you may be asked to commit to at the end of the setup. Fortunately, you can perform a custom installation and choose to deny the additional install items. Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and 7.

Interface

The Zimbra Desktop user interface is absolutely beautiful, with the perfect combination of tabs, lists, and navigational panes that come together to create a control panel that even the most experienced computer user could become comfortable with. The main window has an Internet address bar at the top so you can quickly browse the web and visit various cloud storage accounts from directly within the application.

Pros

• Easily access your contacts, e-mail inbox, calendar, and important documents within a centralized interface. You can even forward e-mails from multiple e-mail accounts using POP and IMAP forwarding.

• Synchronize your desktop with the Zimbra collaboration server to keep updated copies of your files and email correspondence backed up online

• Includes an integrated document editor that lets you create spreadsheets, tables, and even embed images

• Keep track of your to-do list with project start/end dates, and view the completion percentage of your to-do goals

• Manage several color-coded calendars that can be displayed in a variety of views – Daily, Weekly, Monthly, List, and Workweek,

• Integrated Yahoo! Search functionality puts the web at your fingertips. Now supports Yahoo! Inquisitor

• Search through your inbox and save the returned search results in a virtual folder.

• Lets you preview websites in the form of thumbnails before opening them

• Conveniently upload pictures directly to Flickr

• Save commonly used attachments to the Briefcase folder where they can be easily accessed in the future

• Lets you import calendars from the web in iCal format (i.e. – sporting event schedules)

Cons

• Some users have complained that it is difficult to configure a new Hotmail account within the interface. However, following the included help documentation should ensure that you avoid similar problems

Alternatives

There are a lot of other file/folder synchronization software available that have functionality similar to Zimbra Desktop's, the most notable of which include Thunderbird, Microsoft Office Outlook, Apple Mail, Evolution, and Postbox. Of these competitors, Thunderbird and Evolution are the two closest to Zimbra Desktop and functionality, yet have more established reputations.

Conclusion

With a massive collection of useful e-mail management and organization features, as well as automated synchronization capabilities, Zimbra desktop offers an ideal solution to business owners and personal computer users who want to keep track of their communications and planning from anywhere in the world.