Mailwasher Pro 2010 vs MWPro v.6.5.4 (or earlier)

[Chip Fossa]

I got an offer from MW to upgrade to MWP2010 for $10.

But on their website it appears there could be some loss of "things" when making the move. They say "most items will be imported". Hmm??

MWP users, have you made the leap? Is it worth the aggravation. I'm running v.6.5.3 and it seems to work fine for me. I don't know how you could improve MW that much.

[Wiz Feinberg]

I'll be your honeysuckle.

I know a lot about MailWasher Pro 2010. I was a beta tester and write filters for both versions.

You can download the new version and use it for 30 days without registering it. If you like it, upgrade. If not, keep the old version.

Here are some things to consider, before you decide.

The old version, currently at version 6.5.4, is only going to receive occasional bug fixes and nothing more. It has two features currently missing from version 2010, which are to be added later on.

1: Statistics and pie chart of spam categories
2: Direct option to report to SpamCop

The new version will be getting those features, after they get through testing and updating the ongoing beta versions.

The new version is designed to be fully compatible with Windows 7. In fact, it will only install under Windows XP, Vista and 7. It has a really nice interface, uses xml files for filters and black/white lists, processes much faster and is being updated at a furious pace. It now uses a numeric weighting system to determine if incoming messages are legit or spam. One can finetune the numbers as they wish.

The new version has and is incurring a lot of new expense for the company, so they have decided (for now) to charge an annual renewal fee of $9.95 to continue to use that version (and get updates for it). This is inline with companies like Symantec, McAfee, Trend Micro, et al.

I am not in a position to defend or argue about this decision. The bottom line was that they need the money to cover the cost of writing new code and issuing regular updates.

A lot of people are complaining about the bugs that were present in the new version 2010. I guess if they waited until every conceivable bug was found, reported and fixed, before releasing it to the public, people would be happier. But, when will such a process be over? On the 12th of Never!

I use both versions of MailWasher Pro (yes, you can run them side by side). I keep the old one because I still publish updated spam filters for it. I use the new version because I publish spam filters for it also! Right now, I set the old version on automatic checking of email and the new one on manual, to confirm filter changes and spam ratings.

Once you decide to download the new version, it will detect your previous registered version and will import your friends and black list and convert them into the new format. It will also import all email accounts and usually your passwords as well. All applicable user and display settings are also imported.

New users will be greeted in the bottom section of the GUI with a large portrait of the owner's late pet cat, Jean Pierre. You are free to hide him if you choose to. He hides naturally, as soon as new email arrives, if you have opted to show the preview screen on the bottom.

BTW: The upgrade price is a real deal, at only $10.00, for the first year. New users have to pay $29.95 for the first year.

[Chip Fossa]

Thanks Wiz; somehow I knew you would be first to chime in.

I still don't understand filters. But so what. I love MW - it works great. Any stuff that looks questionable or not wanted - HEY! - it's gone. Period!

How do you go about keeping those two different versions going?

And what the h*&& is GUI, anyway? I've been running across this lately.

I am certainly not arguing about the $10; but only what are you gettin'?

I signed up with SpamCop, as per your advice, and it's now a feature on my MW. The headings read from left to right: ACTION BOUNCE DELETE SPAMCOP STATUS SIZE FROM SUBJECT SENT ACCOUNT.

All this time I figured I was sending some info to SPAMCOP because I could check it off on any email. What do I know.

[Wiz Feinberg]

GUI stands for: Graphical User Interface. It really means the program interface that you user to do things, with the program open on your desktop.

MailWasher Pro has built in tools for detecting and deleting spam. The new version is more effective than the old version.

I write filters that match conditions on incoming email, to auto-delete most spam and scams. They are not required. The built-in learning filter will work for most people, along with items flagged by the SpamCop blocklist and the Firetrust FirstAlert spam reporting community.

[Wiz Feinberg]

I forgot to mention this earlier. The old version of MailWasher Pro is still good for life. If you paid for a license for version 6.x it will not expire, like the new version will do. It is like the Energizer Bunny: it keeps on going and going.

The new version (2010) will require annual renewals. The old version is still being offered to new customers who have Windows XP, or 2000 or earlier computers. The new version will not install on anything older than Win XP.

[Chip Fossa]

OK, brother..
I'm gonna take the plunge. With my trusty plunger.

You haven't quite explained how to keep TWO versions going at the same time. I might want to go this route.

[Wiz Feinberg]

OK, brother..
I'm gonna take the plunge. With my trusty plunger.

You haven't quite explained how to keep TWO versions going at the same time. I might want to go this route. :)

Keep the link to the old version on your desktop. When you install the new version accept the new path. All files go into a separate sub-directory from the old version. All shortcuts are new and have a different yellow bar of soap icon.

You can then open them both from their own icons. You can set your preferences so one, or both, or neither start when Windows starts. Make sure you import everything possible from the old version, to get you up and running with the least fuss, bother and mess.

Be nice to Jean Pierre! He will guide you through the changes to the program.

[Chip Fossa]

Yeah Wiz,

I knew this was gonna be gruelsome.

I did not comprehend anything you just said.
"Keep the link to your old version on your desktop?"

"Accept the new path" - HUH?

I'm sorry Wizardo. But I just don't get it. The lingo. I DO NOT GET IT!

I think you have to talk in more pedestrian language.

Sometimes you brainiacs forget that you are not preaching to the choir.

I'm CORNFUSED.

[Wiz Feinberg]

Yeah Wiz,

I knew this was gonna be gruelsome.

I did not comprehend anything you just said.

"Keep the link to your old version on your desktop?"

In other words, do not delete the existing link to version 6.x, that you have on your Windows Desktop, on your computer monitor. Do not uninstall that version until such time as you no longer use it.

"Accept the new path" - HUH?

When you install the new MailWasher Pro 2010 it will have a pre-filled in installation directory (a.k.a. folder). Accept this folder and the PATH to it (e.g: "C:\Program Files\Firetrust\Mailwasher\MailWasherPro.exe").

This is a different "path" than was used in the previous version. That allows you to run both versions, simultaneously (def: "at the same time").

I think you have to talk in more pedestrian language.

Was that better? I walked you through the explanation, in a "pedestrian crossing" manner.

I'm CORNFUSED.

That, I cannot cure. Perhaps watching a rerun of Hee Haw will help?

[Chip Fossa]

OK Wizman...

Let's have some joy.

Hey, where is Joy? What a gal she was.

OK, Master Wizard.

I will go for it, but not tonight.

Thanks good buddy....

I'll let you know for sure how things have worked out..

Chipper

[Chip Fossa]

Just reviewing now. I'm gonna go grab the $10 upgrade.

I just hope in the future (like next month, or next year) they ain't gonna keep goin' up.

It's a great program.

You know, Wiz, this wasn't sposed to happen. I know your explanation is valid. YET?>

[Wiz Feinberg]

Just reviewing now. I'm gonna go grab the $10 upgrade.

I just hope in the future (like next month, or next year) they ain't gonna keep goin' up.

It's a great program.

You know, Wiz, this wasn't sposed to happen. I know your explanation is valid. YET?>

A lot of people complained. They were sold what they thought was a lifetime license. The company was faced with a difficult decision that came down to give away the new version and pay the programmers out of my own pocket, or charge a lower upgrade fee to retain existing customers and pay the programmers out of their fees.

Nobody is forced to upgrade. The series 6.x will not expire. Your license is good for the lifetime of that series. If anybody reading this is happy with MailWasher Pro 6.5.4, keep using it. If you try the new version and want to upgrade, pay the $10 upgrade fee, then renew every 365 days for another $9.95.

I would keep the old version just in case. They can coexist. If after a year you are dissatisfied with the new version, revert to using 6.5.4 (update email servers if necessary).

Keep your license code emails. You may need them if you have to reinstall MWP after replacing the computer, or reinstalling Windows after a problem.

Note, that the new MailWasher Pro version 2010+ does not install on Windows 2000 or earlier operating systems. The old version does.

[Chip Fossa]

Wiz , AAAAAGGHHH! I got the new version now.

But, as you mentioned, I have both versions, running side by side, just as the folks at MW explained; as well you did, too.

Thanks, buddy.

I haven't explored all of the new MW features, yet.

But, thanks again.

Things look just great right now!