Kill or improve webmail

Webmail is getting a new look.\nBut we say the whole e-mail system should be looked into.\nIt seems like Webmail is never working correctly. People complain it's always down. Composing messages is always a pain when the site times out.\nThese are the real problems. Why aren't they being considered for change?\nUniversity Information Technology Services asked Webmail users what they wanted, and some responded they wanted a more graphical setting for reading mail.\nBut the users should have asked for a system that works regularly.\nUITS officials announced the cosmetic changes will be phased in by summer. This includes a new white and crimson-colored border, button icons in place of text links and a counter of each user's storage quota at the top of the screen. Personal preferences, mail management, an address book and folders to save messages will also be easier to access.\nBut that's just a makeover, not the needed overhaul.\nThe only feature that could possibly be more useful than the current system is the new "undelete" option so that deleted e-mails can be retrieved. But is this really worth the cost of a completely new e-mail client?\nWe don't think so.\nThe overall problem with Webmail is that it is just a graphical interface for PINE -- the e-mail system we use Telnet to log into. Webmail is not a self-contained system like Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail. That's the reason it usually runs so slow. \nAnd that's the reason we should use only PINE or find a standalone e-mail client.\nIncoming classes aren't even taught the "old" Telnet interface at orientation. E-mail is an important part of most assignments in classes. Students going through orientation should be taught how to access their e-mail in a system that will be working more often than not. \nSue Workman, of the office of the vice president for information technology, told the IDS when Webmail was revamped the new system would be a "real benefit to our students to be able to access their mail anywhere, with a more user-friendly format."\nHow can the Webmail system be considered "user-friendly" if users can't log in half the time to use it?\nYes, we want our e-mail programs to look good, but we don't want to sacrifice functionality for it. \nFrankly, give us a black and white Telnet with an easier system to read attachments, and save your money on useless cosmetic changes.\n-- Ben Cunningham for the Editorial Board