Download a full-featured email client for Linux.

I've received a number of email messages asking me for a good -- no, scratch that -- great email program for Linux. I suggest one program: Evolution. It's written (mostly) by the folks at Ximian and it has been called "Outlook for the Gnome desktop." But I think that gives Evolution short shrift. On today's show I'll demonstrate Evolution.

Evolution shares Outlook's functionality, and for a small fee you can buy a connector that lets you connect with a corporate exchange database. Evolution has all the necessary functions: contacts, task management, calendar, and inbox.

So what's the big deal? Evolution also has an innovative mail-handling scheme. You have standard folders for sorting, but Evolution also supports something called virtual folders, or vFolders.

VFolders are rule-based folders for messages in the system. Suppose you have an email from tom@rupertcorp.com. You can have that email in your "New messages" vFolder, your "Tom" vFolder, and your "rupertcorp" vFolder. There's only one message, but it can be accessed via multiple folders.

The Summary function contains weather, news from different websites, and a summary of your tasks, appointments, and waiting email. It's a digital dashboard that's extensible to include any site, and it's very useful for keeping your day organized.

I'd like to see more import options for the program, although it does synch with my Palm PDA.

Evolution is on the Ximian website, where you can download the open-source application for free. You can also buy both Ximian and the Ximianized Gnome desktop as a bundle with the StarOffice office suite at the site. While you're at it, you may also want to buy a stuffed monkey.

Chris DiBona is the director of special projects for OSDN.