QuickMail Pro 2CE Software With the demise of Claris Emailer several years back, the Mac is left lacking an e-mail client that meets the needs of home users. While Eudora Pro is an excellent product, it costs too much, and Eudora Lite and Microsoft's Outlook Express are too feature-filled for the casual Internet user. That brings us to CE Software's QuickMail Pro 2.0, a product that manages to straddle the gap between underpowered and overpowered e-mail programs for the Macintosh. QuickMail Pro uses a modern, intuitive interface, with easily understood icons and menu items. Unlike certain other programs that claim to be user friendly and intuitive, this e-mail client won't have you running to the help menu just to decipher cryptic buttons and icons; if you have trouble figuring it out just roll the pointer over hot help and a description will appear. QuickMail Pro also makes good use of your Mac's menu bar, adding an icon there for easy retrieval of messages or to launch a 'news ticker' type program that scrolls new messages at the bottom of the screen. One of the most useful features in QuickMail Pro 2.0 is MailManager, an easy-to-use filtering system that checks incoming messages for nearly any criteria you set it to look for, then does nearly anything with them you could ever ask for. You can use MailManager to delete, forward, print or autoreply to messages automatically during a vacation, for example. MailManager can also be used for spam filtering or other automatic tasks. Another nice feature is the ability to access LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) Internet directories like Bigfoot or Four11 through the contact list. Just like Netscape Messenger, all you need to do is enter your search criteria and QuickMail Pro does the rest, listing any matches for you to add to the built-in Address Book that doubles as a contact manager. Unfortunately, QuickMail Pro only permits searching one LDAP directory at a time, so you have to repeat the search to look through multiple directories. What are the downsides to QuickMail Pro 2.0? During setup we accidentally entered the wrong POP3 server password, and had difficulty finding anywhere to correct it, resulting in a complete reinstall to actually retrieve mail. CE Software also left out support for IMAP4-type servers; while most systems still use POP3 for messages, there are some messaging systems (particularly on college and government networks) that are only accessible with IMAP. QuickMail Pro's most damaging feature is the client's price - $40 is a lot for e-mail when Eudora Lite, Outlook Express and Netscape Messenger (Communicator) are all available for free or bundled with new computers. PLUSES: Easy & intuitive interface; powerful message filters; LDAP support. MINUSES: Price; setting changes are limited after installation; no IMAP4 support. Overall Ranking: (Three out of Five)   PUBLISHER: CE SoftwareVERSION: 2.0LICENSE: Commercial MAC REQUIREMENTS: MacOS 7.6.1+; 16MB RAM; 10MB HD WIN REQUIREMENTS: Win 9X, NT, 2K, or XP; 12MB RAM; 15MB HD ALTERNATIVE TO: Outlook, Outlook Express OUTSIDE REVIEWS: MacAddict ADDITIONAL INFO: Official Site Reviewed by Paul Rickard, August 2000.

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