Comments inline.... We are researching ideas for future version of IMail and would like some feedback on web servers.
1) Do you currently Run IIS or Apache? If so, which one? *** IIS 6. We serve up 2 billion page views a year through ASP.NET and IIS 6, and that's just for one product. IIS6 has been extremely stable, extensible, and secure. I'm a former Apache admin, and given IIS6 comes with Win2k3 Server and offers all the advantages of OS integration, performance monitoring, etc. The cost to maintain IIS is lower than Apache as well. I'm all for IMail using IIS5/6 as Imail's core engine. 2) If IMail required a web server, which would you prefer: a proprietary web server shipped with IMail, IIS or Apache? *** IIS, definitely. No proprietary web servers. Our data centers try to standardize on as few technology platforms as possible, to maximize high-end internal talent on those core technologies. 3) Would it be a problem if IMail required IIS? *** Greatly preferred. I've had no end of problems with the iMail web service crashing, hanging, eating up CPU, taking forever to stop, etc. 4) Would it be a problem if IMail required the .Net framework? *** Absolutely not. Anyone developing leading-edge apps on IIS should be using ASP.net anyway. As a developer using CF, PHP, Java, etc. in the past, ASP.net absolutely takes the prize. Extremely powerful, flexible, scalable, secure, fast. With the upcoming Visual Studio 2005, you'd be able to develop new web messaging applications in a snap (I recommend the C# codebehind model for your web messaging, although codebehind may make it a little more tricky for end users to customize templates). *** Don't skimp-- hire good ASP.net talent and you'll deliver a great product right out of the gate. 5) Would it be a problem if IMail required PHP? *** Yes. I don't want to run another language and another technology platform on a Microsoft OS. We use UNIX boxes for Apache stuff (and even some Macs-- holy cow are those G5's fast!). *** I wholeheartedly support any migration of the IMail web messaging templates to an ASP.net/IIS architecture. The current templates were great in the 90's, but there are many much better web interfaces out there nowadays. Thanks in advance for your input, Tripp Allen Software Development Manager, Messaging Ipswitch, Inc. To Unsubscribe: http://www.ipswitch.com/support/mailing-lists.html List Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/imail_forum%40list.ipswitch.com/ Knowledge Base/FAQ: http://www.ipswitch.com/support/IMail/
