I have been using Pine for the last 4 years, and have found it to be pretty good for a text-based email system. It is easy enough to use that you don't have to have much computer knowledge to be able to send email, while still having enough versatility to be useful to an experienced computer user with more needs.

One thing I like about pine is the menus. Other text-based email systems I have used just sit there waiting for you to do something, and not really giving you a hint of what they expect you to do at that point. Pine brings up menus showing you your options, and letting you know what commands are available at each step. There are many options that are available thru the setup, and help is available when going thru the setup menu. While this help isn't the greatest, and does assume some knowledge of the working of email, you can generally accomplish what you wanted without too much frustration.

Pine can handle attachments no problem. If you choose to attache a file, and don't know the path and name right off hand, Pine can show you a text browser that will help you find the file. This can be a little time consuming, as it shows you all files in each directory.

Pine's address book works well, allowing both single entries, and multiple entry mailing lists.

My basic feeling is that Pine is an excellent email system for beginners. More advanced email users would probably want to switch to a more advanced system that allows them more control and more functionality.

Just my 2 cents worth...




Recommended: Yes