Vista compatibility, Smart Abbreviation, SSL support, Personas, Bookmarks...
New in v4.2: Windows Vista compatibility, smart abbreviation feature for folders and message subjects, ability to use NZB files for getting message headers, improved database capacity, improved address book; various other enhancements and bug fixes for earlier releases; Release Notes - Last Updated: 02.12.07 (v4.2 Build 1118)
Upgrade Meter: 4
New in v4.1:
Improvements to Agent's Newsgroup Directory; Find command now works when viewing HTML messages; improved performance for receiving and routing email messages; ability to customize the display of the Address Book, Pick Address dialog and the Review Recent Emails report; various other enhancements and bug fixes for earlier releases; Release Notes - Last Updated: 10.16.06 (v4.1 Build 1088)
Upgrade Meter: 2
New in v4.0: Agent 4.0 provides many new Usenet and email features, adding usability, flexibility and depth to the features that all Agent users rely on, including:
Managing unwanted messages: Improved crosspost detection, filtering on the "Newsgroups:" field and ignore subthread features for Usenet users, Bayesian junk detection for email users.
Security and privacy: Contact-based HTML display for both Usenet and email users; intelligent persona assignment so you never compromise your identity when sending messages.
Viewing messages: View HTML email and Usenet messages (but under your control); view images in the Message pane, or preview images in the Message List pane.
Handling binary messages: Automatically save attachments based on file type; new Usenet task management priorities so you get important messages first.
Simplifying folder properties: Folder property schemes to define properties for logically related folders.
Managing email: Route by identity, a new way of receiving and sending email that eliminates the need for complex rules and filters; email routing reports; intelligent advisor to help you route incoming email and send outgoing email correctly.
New in v3.3: Database Recovery tool (for repairing damaged folders and recovering deleted messages to folders), StartTLS command for outbound email (SMTP) servers (enhances SSL support), various other enhancements and bug fixes for earlier releases; Release Notes - Last Updated: 03.10.06 (v3.3 Build 846)
Upgrade Meter: 4
New in v3.2: SSL support, personas (for multiple users / different identities),
support for multiple inbound (POP) email accounts and multiple outbound (SMTP) servers, improvements to folder properties, various other enhancements and bug fixes for earlier releases; Release Notes - Last Updated: 02.01.06 (v3.2 Build 830)
Upgrade Meter: 4
New in v3.0: Support for multiple news servers and multiple connections to news servers, new Task Manager, new Desks feature for better folder and message organization, Newsgroup Directory feature for viewing newsgroups by any combination of news servers and according to your search criteria, redesigned menus and toolbars, improved message sending and receiving, bookmarks feature (for quick access to frequently used messages, folders, and desks), various other enhancements and bug fixes for earlier releases; Release Notes
Upgrade Meter: 5
New in v2.0: New development platform (wxWindows), global sorting and message sorting improvements, new spell checker, improved header retrieval capacity and performance, enhanced display control, various other enhancements; Release Notes Upgrade Meter: 5
New in v1.93: Various translated versions, Agent and Free Agent combined, MIME decoding, increased line count accuracy, various other enhancements; Release Notes Upgrade Meter: 4
New in v1.9: Trash Folder feature (for easy recovery of deleted messages), Undo feature (stores up to ten commands), various bug fixes for v1.8; Release Notes Upgrade Meter: 5
New in v1.6: Y2K fixes, drag and drop/Windows clipboard support, undo/redo menu in composition window, enhanced support for international character sets (including Euro character and Unicode encoding support), improved handling of errors; Release Notes Upgrade Meter: 5
New in v1.5: MAPI support, global message searching, spam detection/prevention tools Upgrade Meter: 4
Pros: Tons of features, easy customization, extensive on-line help, inexpensive
Cons: Lacks integration with mail client and advanced features of Outlook Express and Netscape Mail/News, questionable need for standalone newsreader in today's environment