email2 does not replace basic email. On the contrary, email2 works closely with standard email, enhancing and strengthening the existing weak areas. A special email2 Toolbar for Outlook can be installed for use with existing email clients, and email2 members can continue to use their existing email addresses. Adopting email2 does not preclude users from continuing to use basic email.
A user's existing email client can store and display both email2 and basic email messages without conflict; the special email2 Toolbar provides all of the extended functionality when an email2 message is selected. The current implementation of email2 actually relies on existing email infrastructure: email2 Notification Messages are sent using basic email and then provide access to the email2 Message and Delivery Slip.
The email2 Notification messages are a foothold for the email2 platform to integrate itself into the standard email client. After an email2 Notification message arrives, the user can either follow the link to the email2 Web Client, or (if they are using the email2 Toolbar), the email2 Notification message will be automatically converted to the actual email2 message content (retrieving the content securely from the Private Email Network over HTTPS).
You can think of email2 as a platform that can be implemented over top of the existing email architecture. The email2 platform functions in conjunction with basic email structure to strengthen it and provide more features to the end user. Remember, with email2 you are not replacing basic email, you are enhancing it:
- Keep using your existing email address.
- Keep using your existing Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- Keep using your existing email programs (e.g. Outlook).
- Keep using your existing email server programs (e.g. Exchange).
- Interoperates with existing email network infrastructures and protocols.
- email2 works with any existing or new technology being developed for traditional email (PKI, IRM, Archiving, Auditing, etc.).
The core functionality of basic email remains unchanged. Pre-existing basic email messages are still accessible and usable, (within the limitations of the basic email system, of course). Likewise, basic email messages created or received after the adoption of email2 still function the same as those created or received before.
email2 allows extended email functionality without encroaching on existing email processes. It is altogether possible for a user to be email2 enabled, but rely exclusively on basic email for communication – although considering the advantages of email2, it is difficult to see why!
// Edited July 2008