We hope everyone had noticed that RoundCube is available among the options in your webmail interface. RoundCube is a pretty slick webmail client and has been requested a lot in the past. After about two years of development, the first stable release of RoundCube was announced in early 2008. Since the script has matured into a stable product, cPanel integrated RoundCube into its webmail interface along with SquirrelMail and Horde. SharkSpace had introduced RoundCube webmail in all our servers earlier.
Roundcube uses AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript and XML) to provide a quick, responsive user interface which mimics that of many desktop email clients. The use of AJAX makes tasks like folder manipulation, message searching and spell checking a lot easier. It provides a much more application-style interface for webmail, featuring double-click to view, drag-and-drop to move. RoundCube has a “Mac” type look and the icons were designed by Stephen Horlander and Kevin Gerich of Mozilla.org
If Roundcube had a built in feed reader and calendar, it would be better, but for an email reader, we think they are doing some good work. We haven’t come across any bugs or issues with RoundCube yet, if you bump into any issues please do let us know by submitting a ticket in our Help Desk and we will be happy to review it!
Some of the features of RoundCube webmail includes:
- PHP- and (Postgresql-MySQL-Sqlite)-based
- Multilingual capabilities
- Full support for MIME and HTML messages
- Compose messages with attachments
- IMAP Support
- Multiple sender identities
- Basic address book
- Find-as-you-type address book integration
- Forwarding messages with attachments
- Create or remove custom message folders
- Built-in caching for fast mailbox access
- Support for external SMTP server
- Advanced user interface
- Unlimited users and messages
- Complete customization with skins
RoundCube is now in version 0.2 and there are new features being developed. The upcoming features include:
- Richtext/HTML composing
- Message filters and rules
- Contact groups
- Auto-detection of client language and timezone
- Selectable folder for outgoing mails
- Managing nested folders/collapsable folders list
- Full featured address book based on VCard standard
- Import/export functions
- Support for GPG/PGP encryption
- Threaded message listing
- Plug-in API for flexible exensions
Here are some common FAQ for RoundCube webmail:
Q: How do I log in to the new RoundCube Webmail client?
A: You can login directly to your webmail (domain.com/webmail) and select the RoundCube icon.
A: You can login directly to your webmail (domain.com/webmail) and select the RoundCube icon.
Q: How do I setup a Signature in RoundCube Webmail client?
A: To setup a Signature, please navigate to Personal Settings > Identities > New identity.
A: To setup a Signature, please navigate to Personal Settings > Identities > New identity.
Q: Is there a way to change the number of messages displayed on one page?
A: To do so, please navigate to Personal Settings > Preferences.
A: To do so, please navigate to Personal Settings > Preferences.
Q: Is there a way to import existing rules from another mail application (such as Microsoft Entourage, Outlook, Outlook Express, etc.)?
A: Unfortunately, there is no way to import the existing rules from other applications. We hope this feature will be implemented soon.
Q: How do I delete all messages in RoundCube Webmail client?
A: To delete all messages at once using the RoundCube Webmail client, please select a folder and apply the “Empty” action from the bottom of the left frame.
A: To delete all messages at once using the RoundCube Webmail client, please select a folder and apply the “Empty” action from the bottom of the left frame.
Q: Is there an automated way to clean my Trash folder?
A: Unfortunately, this option is not available at the moment. We hope this feature will be implemented soon as well.
A: Unfortunately, this option is not available at the moment. We hope this feature will be implemented soon as well.
Q: What does the “Compact” action do?
A: The “Compact” action supposed to permanently delete messages marked as Deleted. Since in our installation messages are being deleted right away, the “Compact” action does not do anything.
A: The “Compact” action supposed to permanently delete messages marked as Deleted. Since in our installation messages are being deleted right away, the “Compact” action does not do anything.
Q: How do I create a new folder in RoundCube Webmail client?
A: To create a new folder, please navigate to Personal Settings > Folders tab.
A: To create a new folder, please navigate to Personal Settings > Folders tab.
An alternative for SquirrelMail (too simple?) and Horde (too complex?) was missing until recently and we feel that gap has been filled up by RoundCube!