At the last place I worked, we ran a FirstClass system ('96-'97 timeframe).
SoftArc owned the product at the time, but since then I think it's been
bought and sold a few times.In retrospect, the backend of FirstClass was lacking...no hot backups, no transactional logging, etc. It was essentially a flat-file system where each user had a directory on the server with his/her stuff in it. I have no idea whether they've stuck with that architecture or gone on to a database-backed design. I'd definitely look into that before even considering moving to it. Hunter -----Original Message----- From: Marty Gavin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 9:58 AM To: Exchange Discussions Subject: (OT - FirstClass), customizing Outlook Today & programmatically Outlook (shortcut) Bar Hi Everyone, What we've got: Single Exchange 2000 SP3 on Windows 2000 Server SP4, around 450 mailboxes, multiple sites over T1 ATM WAN links. Migrating next week to Exchange 2003 on Windows Server 2003, but may not be relevant to questions asked here.... Background: Our organization just got a new administrator a few months ago who is pushing to have us dump Exchange and migrate to a product called FirstClass (www.firstclass.com). For the record, I like Exchange heaps. He's been here a short time and is insisting there's a real shortcoming in collaboration, and that the solution is to move to this small-time, formerly Mac-only, BBS-with-calendaring-and-smtp-stapled-on solution. Our 5-person IT dept. has discussed this internally and while trying to keep an open mind (since we can't really veto this), it seems as though most everything said new guy wants to accomplish could be done in the Public Folders, maybe with scripting commonly-used shortcuts to users' desktops (KiXtart, no worries). The kicker is that this FirstClass product has a really simple user interface, beginning with their own little desktop-in-a-window. The K.I.S.S. rule seems to be critical here. (That, and the fact we've already paid for everything, including new hardware and licensing to migrate to Exchange 2003). Questions: 1. Does anyone have any horror-stories about using FirstClass? Or moving to FirstClass. Anything. I could use some feedback, facts, examples, hearsay, etc. 2. Does anyone use customized outlook today start (html) pages? We've found a few examples online, and the white paper & samples in the 2000 ORK. Could anyone link to more samples, or some best practices? 3. Is there any way to script or otherwise programmatically change the Outlook (shortcut) Bar? 4. How do you search the Exchange Discussions list archives? Thanks! Marty Gavin MCP, A+ Desktop Support Holmdel Township Public Schools 732.946.1058 office 732.834.0089 facsimile Help Fight Spam | Smart Board Activities | Outlook Tutorials for Education | Office XP training & resources | Microsoft Education Programs | Windows 2000 help | Our Help Desk | Mac Office 2001 help & resources | more links "Sometimes when reading Goethe I have the paralyzing suspicion that he is trying to be funny." - Guy Davenport | more quotes (Can't view HTML? Just visit http://www.holmdel.k12.nj.us/faculty/mgavin/signature.htm) _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&lang =english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with. _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&lang=english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with.
