And if I want to insert a file, I have to do a copy/paste or add it as an attachment. I can do the same while I am using Thunderbird, but there is this extra step of opening a shell window. I could easily, with one or two commands, copy/paste/read files, run a Perl script as needed. As I was login to a server where all my files resided, I was able to go between a shell and Pine in the same window. You can’t really compare a text based email client to a graphical one. To my surprise I started to like the new features. I started to spend more time with my new email client. Days went by and I finally lost my Unix account. Now, clicking mouse for reading emails was new to me(I know there are key shortcuts, but when you are in a graphical environment you tend to lean towards the mouse). It seemed less bloated than Mozilla and I liked the interface. Then I installed Thunderbird at my work machine(was secretly login to the cluster and using Pine at home).
I can’t remember the details but I could tell there was a lack of spark between us. I tried Mozilla mail for couple days, didn’t like it. However, standing at the crossroads, I decided to seek something new, something different. I could have still use Pine in my GNU/Linux workstation as a IMAP client or even when I would be using a PC, there was PC-Pine. The option of login to the server and using Pine was gone. Then, why the dumping? My school decided to get rid of the Unix cluster / shell access and provide everyone with a web interface. I never thought that I would use something else for my email. There are fond memories attached with Pine. I remember checking my email from the Heathrow airport, I remember checking it from Brazil(Indiana). Just ssh to the server, type ‘p’ (my alias for pine) in the prompt and Walla - you’ve got mail. I didn’t bother installing a POP/IMAP client at home or work. Like most other big schools, our email cluster was in a Sun OS box. It was beginning of my undergraduate career. Pine can provide all of the above and it was fulfilling my needs just fine. And yes, if you are a Usenet junkie, you need an email client that works as a news reader as well. You need a client that is easy to use, can handle spam, easily tunes with your favorite operating system / desktop environment. A good, trusty email client in these days of information overload is necessary. I receive about 200 emails(not counting spam) on average a day. On a serious note, a big chunk of my work depends on reading and responding to emails. From the latest spam to enlarge my certain organ to the email from an old friend - I just love getting emails. I will admit my addiction for checking emails. Email has been an integral part of my daily life. We have our bad times, but overall I am happy with the switch. Although, sometime I miss the simple, fast, text based interface, the new relationship is shaping up to be an exciting one. I dumped my good old Pine and settled with a graphical client.
Recently, I decided to move to a greener posture. I had been an avid user of Pine for almost five years.