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HERMES eudoramail 8.0: The Final Stretch

HERMES eudoramail 8.0: The Final Stretch

HERMES eudoramail 8.0: The Final Stretch

HERMES eudoramail 8.0: The Final Stretch

HERMES eudoramail 8.0: The Final Stretch

"Eudora Jnr" has reached alpha 24—eMail just got better, once and for all. Keep development going!

"Eudora Jnr" has reached alpha 24—eMail just got better, once and for all. Keep development going!

"Eudora Jnr" has reached alpha 24—eMail just got better, once and for all. Keep development going!

"Eudora Jnr" has reached alpha 24—eMail just got better, once and for all. Keep development going!

Nicholas Werner-Matavka
Nicholas Werner-Matavka
Nicholas Werner-Matavka
Nicholas Werner-Matavka
5 Campaigns |
mississauga, Canada
$8,358 USD $8,358 USD by 168 backers
$3,510 USD by 45 backers on Jul 30, 2022
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Highlights
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History

In 2006, American microprocessor manufacturer QUALCOMM discontinued their popular Eudora electronic mail client in order to focus more clearly on their core product line. Subsequent to a complex series of negotiations, the source code of Eudora 7.1 was later released into the public domain, albeit in a form that could not yield a salable product as-was, and encumbered with a condition that the Eudora name remains the intellectual property of QUALCOMM, Inc.

In 2022, we successfully assembled this code, yielding a fully-functional app that runs properly on Intel PC's equipped with Windows 10 and later. Make no mistake: this was a tortuous journey, embarked on in fits and starts—but the fundamental takeaway is that a direct lineal descendant of Eudora 7.1 exists right now.

Although it was called Aurora at first for legal reasons, we at Team HERMES are now calling it Eudoramail; the name Eudora is Greek for "a good gift", and this is the conclusion we hope you'll reach when trying our software.

We are not pedlars of vapourware. Investing into our future means receiving a tangible product in the guise of Eudoramail 8.0, as well as all reasonable technical assistance therewith.

Value Proposition

Unlike most other crowdfunded ventures, HERMES Eudoramail is an existing product being sold through a flexible pricing model, so the fundamental quid pro quo we propose is very simple: one contribution of £60 Br., $70 Am.,  or $90 Cdn. (or part thereof) will get you the right to deploy HERMES Eudoramail at one seat and upgrades in perpetuity.

But wait—there's more! The extended value proposition, over and above our core offering, entails:—

  • Early Access to New Versions: As Eudoramail is still undergoing testing, your contribution ensures you receive early access to freshly compiled versions as they become available.
  • Influence on Project Direction: Your contribution also gives you a say in the project's strategic direction, proportionate to the number of seats you've acquired. Think of it as having voting rights on the HERMES shareholder board, where your impact grows with your level of support.
  • Market Diversification: By supporting our project financially, you actively contribute to diversifying the email client market. Currently, only two major players, Outlook and Thunderbird, along with service-as-a-software-substitute solutions, dominate the landscape. Supporting smaller players is essential to preventing market consolidation.

Sifting through the noise, let's hone in on what truly matters: the price. As you delve into the pricing intricacies of various eMail clients, the stark disparities come to light. Take, for instance, Mailbird, with a hefty $99 Am. price tag for a single-user license, and that's not even perpetual—there's an additional $10 Am. annual charge for updates. Then there's the professional edition, a staggering $399 Am., with the same $10 Am. yearly update fee. The Bat! Professional isn't far behind at $60 Am., and updating can set you back from $16 Am. to $30 Am., contingent on the app's age you're upgrading from. eM Professional hits with a weighty $130 Am. for a perpetual license, while the market leader, Microsoft Outlook, demands $160 (Canadian or American). The grip that Mailbird and The Bat! have on your wallet is undeniable, a tight squeeze indeed. Some alternatives may seem a bit more lenient, but hold on—here's the twist! You're not only footing the bill for upgrades to the next version, but you're also ensnared in monthly fees just to use the software. It's high time we address these unethical practices. At Team HERMES, our unwavering commitment is to offer a just and affordable alternative in the expansive email client landscape.

Note: "One seat" means "used by one person on one computer at one time"—single-computer households need only one seat. Funds contributed under the £60 limit will result in a single-seat licence and one seat on the board; any funds contributed over the £60 limit will go toward a second seat until a total of £120 is reached, etc.

 

Why Eudoramail?

New Users

Eudoramail, the pinnacle of traditional email clients, offers a refreshing departure from the modern email landscape. In an era where convenience often comes at the cost of control, Eudoramail stands as a testament to individuality and security.

Many of today's email providers, such as Gmail, ProtonMail, GMX, and Yahoo!, offer a web-based service where you read and compose messages directly in your browser. While this may seem convenient, it comes at a significant price—your control. In this setup, you entrust your email provider with everything, relinquishing control over your own communications. This, as seasoned system administrators can attest, is a security nightmare.

The vaunted convenience of Gmail and its imitators can sometimes be deceptive. You might encounter security challenges that leave you frustrated and powerless. Google, for instance, is not primarily a software company but an advertising/marketing firm. In their world, you are not a customer; you are the product. When you seek technical assistance, you often find it lacking or non-existent. If you ever wish to change providers while retaining your archive of thousands of messages, the path is there, but it's not always clearly marked. Tech support, in such cases, offers little solace.

In the corporate realm, email takes a different form. Yes, institutional webmail does exist, but just as likely, you might be provided with a traditional email solution—a laptop and a piece of paper with cryptic instructions, directing you in setting up Microsoft Office or Thunderbird.

This is where Eudoramail enters the race, standing shoulder to shoulder with its legacy competitors, the same ones it faced in 2006. And Eudoramail emerges victorious. Why, you might wonder? Primarily, it's due to its robust feature set. Thunderbird, while a basic email client, played a pivotal role as the precursor to Postbox, a formidable contender in the email client market. Postbox, unlike Thunderbird, is a true rival to Eudoramail in terms of feature completeness. Neither Thunderbird nor Outlook, the market leader, can truly compete in this regard.

It's essential to highlight that Eudoramail is an original creation, not a child of any other software. It stands on its own merits, offering a distinctive and feature-rich email experience that sets it apart in the world of email clients.

In the landscape of general-purpose email clients, Eudoramail 8.0 presents itself as a robust option, tailored specifically for power users—individuals deeply immersed in their email correspondence. While features like integrated AI assistance, canned replies, or mail-merge capabilities are as yet only on our drawing board, they echo our commitment to elevating user experience. Eudoramail is crafted for those craving adaptability and ingenuity, offering a dynamic departure from the rigid frameworks of competitors like Thunderbird.

If you're in search of a platform where your digital communication can effortlessly adjust to your preferences, Eudoramail emerges as a compelling choice. Nevertheless, it's crucial to acknowledge the existence of niche users, like those desiring an integrated Usenet client or organizing their inbox as a to-do list. These distinctive needs, though valid, currently lie beyond Eudoramail's scope, though it's imperative to recognize that Eudoramail’s definition of "general purpose" continually evolves, reflecting our dedication to enhancing our offerings.

Existing Users

For those well-acquainted with Eudora’s legacy, the evolution to Eudoramail 8.0 is not just a leap forward but a necessary progression. Eudora 7.1, a stalwart in its time, faced considerable limitations, especially concerning the transmission of non-English languages. In an era where accented letters are fundamental to the communication of 450 million European Union citizens, Eudora's antiquated framework became a glaring disappointment. For Frenchmen, Serbs, Hungarians, and many others, this flaw was more than a mere inconvenience—it was a potential deal-breaker. However, rejoice they can, for Eudoramail has stepped in to bridge this linguistic gap, mitigating problems that once occurred regularly and offering a full remedy in sight.

Another hurdle Eudora faced was its vulnerability to cyber threats, notably the infamous "Heartbleed" attack. While fixes were implemented, the subsequent versions of the security library became incompatible with the old, rendering Eudoramail defenseless. The resilient Eudora community, determined to safeguard their communication, ingeniously turned to the Stunnel program as a makeshift solution. This improvisation, although not elegant, provided a valuable lifeline in the absence of the original source code.

Later, Team HERMES stepped in, offering a lifeline in the form of a "bridge package" crafted from the original Eudora code. This drop-in replacement temporarily held the fort, providing users with a semblance of security until a proper solution could be engineered.

With the successful launch of Eudoramail, this bridge package, once a lifeline, is now to be considered obsolescent if not obsolete. Eudoramail, with its modern architecture and advanced security measures, supersedes the need for these interim solutions. Although the bridge package served its purpose, it’s time for users to transition to a more robust, long-term solution. Team HERMES pledges to support Eudora users for as long as feasible, but the future lies with Eudoramail—a promising horizon for those who have long depended on Eudora’s legacy.

Corporations

In the corporate sphere, stability, solidity, and long-term support are paramount. Eudoramail, in its current state of research and development, might seem experimental, yet its potential cannot be overlooked. Institutions, often tasked with balancing nostalgia, practicality, and innovation, find unique value in supporting Eudoramail.

Embracing Eudoramail within an organization isn’t just an act of goodwill; it’s a strategic move. In a market dominated by giants, fostering diversity is not just ethical—it’s imperative. Market consolidation, the looming spectre, threatens to stifle innovation. Supporting Eudoramail isn’t just a choice; it’s a stand against the homogenization of digital experiences.

Moreover, Eudoramail offers institutions an opportunity to maintain the legacy factor, to gather goodwill from employees who have a history with Eudora. Its integration into the organizational workflow is seamless, and the cost of supporting Eudoramail is remarkably low. It’s a chance for corporations to revive a legacy software, breathing new life into it and demonstrating a commitment to both their employees and the preservation of digital diversity.

Targets

As a not-for-profit business with remote-working members, our operational model thrives on efficiency and minimal capital requirements. Our procurement list for the year is concise, with most of the contributions we receive directed towards covering ongoing operational expenses. These expenses include monthly and annual bills such as domain registration fees, hosting costs, software licenses, utility expenses, Internet charges, and staff salaries. We anticipate that our existing team will suffice to achieve our expected milestones, and there should be no need to hire additional personnel.

However, it's crucial to understand that we don't rigidly adhere to financial targets. While our aim is to generate a total of approximately £6,000 direct contributions from our user community (on a pro forma basis), this figure remains flexible. We actively encourage our users to contribute according to their financial capacity. Our overarching objective is to expand the reach of Eudoramail as widely as possible, harnessing the network effect that accompanies increased adoption.

In the event that we fall short of our fundraising target, rest assured that our customers will continue to receive their purchases without disruption. Our commitment to providing uninterrupted service remains steadfast. On the other hand, if we surpass our goal, it benefits both us and you, as it ensures a more expedited and enthusiastic development of Eudoramail. Your contributions, whether they meet or exceed our initial expectations, play a pivotal role in sustaining and enhancing this project for the benefit of all users. 

Other Ways to Help

At Team HERMES, we recognize that supporting us doesn't always have to come in the form of a direct purchase. We understand the power of influence, especially in the realms of media and corporate spheres. For the computer press, your voice echoes loudly, shaping perceptions and sparking conversations. If you're a journalist, we invite you to engage with us, to understand the legacy of QUALCOMM Eudora and the transformative journey we're on as HERMES with Eudoramail. Reach out, and we'll gladly set up interviews or provide insights. For the digital curators of knowledge, the Wikipedians, your entries can illuminate our path in the vast world of information. Your support in documenting our story is invaluable.

To the corporate world, your acknowledgement matters. Even if purchasing Eudoramail might not align with your current needs, recognizing our presence, mentioning us, and understanding our position as a legitimate player in the industry is immensely valuable. For ISPs and standards-setting bodies, your awareness contributes significantly to our credibility and reach.

And to everyone else, your everyday conversations can be a force for change. Word-of-mouth, especially in the digital age, holds unparalleled power. Share our journey on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, Reddit, and Mastodon. Spread the word, create a buzz, and let the world know about Eudoramail. Your support, in whatever form it takes, propels us forward and ensures our message resonates far and wide. Together, we're not just shaping an email client; we're building a community, and your voice is an integral part of this chorus of progress. Let's make some noise!

Pitfalls and Challenges

In the realm of software development, risks and challenges often shift their shape, especially when transitioning from research and planning to sales. Eudoramail, however, stands firm in the present, a tangible reality that won't simply vanish into thin air. The risk landscape, though not void of challenges, is fundamentally different here. While uncertainties like potential disruptions due to changes in underlying technology or the unforeseen twists of creative differences might surface, the essence remains unchanged: Eudoramail's continuing existence is not under threat. Our commitment to transparency means acknowledging potential hurdles. Financial challenges are conceivable and likely; the solution here is simple to articulate (but less simple to get a hold of). There's a legal case with potential financial implications, but we're prepared for either surplus (the nonprofit's answer to profit) in case of a win or breakeven in case of a loss; we're not banking on a win as our sole lifeline.

There are those everyday risks, like a rainy day, which may be inconvenient but hardly life-altering. Then there are the unlikely but consequential risks, like an anvil dropping from the sky—unexpected and significant. For HERMES, as a provider of a packaged product, one probable risk lies in the potential impossibility of delivering a feature within the product, one we've previously advertised and that forms part of our contract with you. It's a challenge we acknowledge, but one that doesn't carry a monumental impact. The days of worrying about non-delivery of the product itself are long gone, firmly relegated to history. Delays are an intrinsic part of the development process, which is why we've chosen to steer clear of setting concrete timelines. Rest assured, if we encounter a situation where delivering a promised feature becomes improbable or unfeasible, we'll be in direct and open communication with our cherished community of clients and testers. In such an event, we'll go above and beyond to provide a suitable substitute or, if preferred, arrange refunds for your contributions. Your satisfaction remains our top priority, and we're committed to addressing any challenges that may arise along this exciting journey with Eudoramail.

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