Exchange Server

[Gazoo22]

I have recently signed up with Mail2web and love how it works, but there are limitations. as far as I can see you can only have 1 email address per account and the synced info is limited to mail, contacts, tasks and calender.

I am wondering if anyone would know of any software that is GPL/free that I can use to set an exchange type server on a laptop that can do the same functions plus some. Sort of a small office setup where I can have 2 or 3 emails and have the users share a calender, contacts, data files for applications like shopping lists.

Thanks

[silverjack]

What else would you like to remotely sync? Also you do realize that hosting your own exchange server you will need to leave the machine running 99% of the time, not exactly well suited for a laptop. As far as an open source gpl implementation of exchange check out this site, http://www.open-xchange.com/

[Gazoo22]

I forgot to mention what I wanted to sync, a few pda/cellphones and a few desktops. I like the small size and lower power consumption of a laptop, maybe a mini pc would be better at the task, I am not sure.

thanks for the reply I will check out the link next.

[silverjack]

I guess it really depends on what you wanna do. If you want to deal with setting up a mail server try the open exchange if you have the money get the MS version. This would be a great way to go for medium sized business but if there are only a few accounts to manage a hosted service such as mail2eb is much more viable and there down time is next to never. With there business plans you can manage multiple email accounts and share there calendars with a variety of devices and email clients.

[Gazoo22]

I looked at open-xchange and it looks pretty good, I have never tried to set up an email server but I am will to pick up a $100 laptop and try setting it up. It looks like the cost of Mail2web business account is $15 per user/per month, sounds like it would be worthwhile setting up my own server, and learning something rather then tying myself to $30 a month for me and my wife. I can definitely see an advantage for a business to sync up there data and sharing files with mobile devices. I am willing to learn

Thanks for the info

[silverjack]

I still think that a laptop would not be good as an email server. Your 100bucks would be better spent buying desktop off of craigslist. but thats my 2cents.
Lets us know your success!!

[JamesAub]

I just looked at open xchange, geez how much!? Buy MS Small Business Server 2003, its bloody cheaper!

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/howtobuy/pricing.mspx