Yahoo surprise for offline mail reading

Yahoo's Zimbra Desktop utility is testing to allow all 263 million people to use the provider's email service, including new ymail and rocketmail accounts that can read offline calendar messages.

This open source software also allows users of AOL Mail services and Gmail to read their mail conveniently like other email management tools.

About the calendar, Zimbra supports iCal and Outlook iCal standards in Windows. However, the address book synchronization function is not included in this tool, so webmail account contacts cannot be pulled to the computer or uploaded to the new network address automatically.

Zimbra Desktop interface. Photo: Fickr

" Zimbra focuses on creating communication solutions and interacting, erasing the limitations of traditional email methods. By switching to multi-account mode, the application has helped users repel problems. Basics cause headaches in daily communications, "said Satish Dharmaraj, Yahoo vice president, Zimbra project co-founder.

" With Zimbra Desktop, we have brought the world standard of communication convenience to users of any email account, anywhere and anytime, " he said.

Also carrying the Yahoo logo, the Zimbra utility supports POP and IMAP protocols to send and receive mail. When users take the mouse pointer over, a mini options window will reveal with date features so you can enter the schedule for the job, or the address will appear on the Yahoo Map to Locate the contact's location.

Besides, the software also has a word processing tool and spreadsheet in the Zimbra Documents component.

Zimbra Briefcase service provides users with online storage space to upload important files or store large files of attachments.

In addition Zimbra Tasks is a useful tool for users to manage their work lists. Thereby, you can track the progress of the task according to the percentage as well as the start date of the work, the execution period and the time of completion.

The email account holders can download it here, Zimbra excels in compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.