[Dovecot] Non-dovecot user looking for feedback

[David Morsberger]

Check out:

http://imapwiki.org/ImapTest/ServerStatus

--
David Morsberger
301-758-7387
Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 17, 2012, at 2:00 AM, Chris Ross <cross+dovecot at distal.com> wrote:


 I've been using UW-IMAPd for neigh on forever (at least since 2001).  But,
as it's basically stalled, and I'm about to update the hardware that is my
mail server, I thought it was time to review existing open-source IMAP
servers.  Dovecot is the top three in my looking.

 The other of the top three candidates, because I know of people who've
used it, is Cyrus IMAP.  So, I should note that my thoughts are "uw-imapd,
because I already know how to use it", "Cyrus, because someone I know/trust
liked it years ago", and dovecot, because "it seems stable, professional,
and to meet all of my needs".

 I guess the biggest question I have is how files/folders are stored in the
filesystem.  uw-imapd has a "mbx" format that all of my folders are in, and
also has support for mbox and maildir (i think).  mbx had some advantages
for speed access, which would be unimportant I assume with dovecot's
indexes, but IIRC there was also some reason the mbox format coped poorly
with multiple clients accessing the same folder at the same time.

 So, am I right that dovecot supports only the "one big full file" mbox
format, and the maildir format?  And if so, is it known to allow multiple
simultaneous IMAP clients to access and monitor and/or modify the same
folder simultaneously?

 After those questions, it's just a "what do you think the pros and cons of
each are?"  I know asking in this forum, that I will get most if not all
votes for Dovecot. And that's fine, as long as you have specific reasons
why it would be better for someone with only a handful of users and minimal
time available to administer the systems in question.

 Thanks!  I appreciate any and all feedback.

                        - Chris