[Gpg4win-users-en] gpg4win w/ Outlook 2010?

[Bernhard Reiter]

As this got asked again, here is an update:

Am Mittwoch 21 Dezember 2011 12:49:32 schrieb Bernhard Reiter:
> Hello Friends of Gpg4win,
> just a few heads-up:
>
> Am Tuesday, 16. August 2011 12:50:59 schrieb Bernhard Reiter:
> > current versions of Gpg4win - e.g. 2.1.0 - do not work with Outlook 2010!
> >
> > There is a small hint on http://gpg4win.de/about.html
> > in the system requirements, which is too easy to miss. To be more
> > precise: it is the Outlook "plugin" GpgOL that does not work with Outlook
> > 2010.
> >
> > From the technical side Outlook 2010 is significantly different from its
> > predecessors, so GpgOL's way of hooking into the system - especially for
> > the MIME handling - does not work satisfactory anymore. It it not yet
> > known if a similiar approach or a new one or none will work with Outlook
> > 2010.
> >
> > So when will Outlook 2010 be supported by GpgOL then?
> >
> > We cannot say if and when it will be supported.
> > In a first step research is needed if it is possible to support
> > proper MIME handling for OpenPGP and S/MIME with Outlook 2010
> > and which method is reliable and doable.
>
> We have found a more recently added or exposed function call /BeforeRead/
> which may make it possible to hook into the right place of Outlook 2010. It
> might not be sufficient, but it is a candidate for an evaluation.
>
> > If it turns out that it is possible and feasable, the new product
> > component would need to be implemented.
> >
> > Both steps require significant efforts which the Gpg4win developers would
> > need to have funding for. This funding is not yet found.
>
> There is a chance for some funding now, if this comes to pass,
> we might start to evaluate this in the second quarter of 2012,
> with potential results of the evaluation coming in for the sommer.

As it turned out, the chance to get this funding has dropped.
We do not believe we'll be able to get it for the next 6 months at least
or not at all. :(

> Again, this is not secured and might not lead to an implementation.
> However, if we are lucky and it works out from the technical points of
> view... :)
>
> > Your help is highly appreciated, but keep in mind that a significant
> > effort is needed. Small payments and small support volumes currently
> > cannot provide funding for such an ambitions two step project.

Still we are looking into doing something like this. Maybe using something 
like kickstarter or something else. The big issue is that we cannot guarantee 
that we can come up with a solution. So even if we'd set a funding goal of 
50K Euro or more with a good technical plan and reasoning, we could not 
promise a solution only that we'd try very hard.

How could you help:

> > How can I help?
> > Make Gpg4win more popular, is always good as it might help raise funds
> > elsewhere or bring in helpers for other tasks.
> >
> > If you know an organisation that would be able to and possibly willing to
> > fund research in the magnitude of 50 days, let us know.
>
> Still all useful and needed.

This is all still holds but:
a) Small donations and volunteer payments for the last years now could at 
least fund one important release (the 2.1.1beta1 as you will have noticed). 
If we could raise double the money, at least we get some more maintenance 
done.
b) If you know a good place to place a gpg4win crowdfunding bid let us know.
We would also need ideas and help to shape the bid so that others users would 
buy the proposition.  

>
> > At a number of occasions, the German Federal Office for Information
> > Security (BSI) has provided funding for past of versions of Gpg4win.
> > This is very applaudable! All what is working now - which is a lot
> > already - became possible because of this support.
> > As a public, tax-payer funded organisation in Germany, the BSI of course
> > depends on the willingness of politics and the decision structure in
> > public administrations to invest in a certain area. If you get a chance
> > to thank the BSI for the good job on Gpg4win so far, while politely
> > pointing out that there is demand for Outlook 2010 or more development,
> > this can be helpful. Especially if you are a public administration that
> > officially can talk to BSI or superious administrations and your input
> > leads is positive.
> >
> > https://www.bsi.bund.de/EN/Home/home_node.html
> >
> > Are there alternatives on windows?
> > Yes, you could consider using a different email or groupware client for
> > at least your crypto emails. E.g. using the IMAP access of your
> > mailserver. It is a lot easier to support crypto email if the product is
> > Free Software and thus the source code is availabe to see how it works
> > and how it need to be changed.
> >
> > There are cost effective, well spread email clients for windows, as Free
> > Software (Open Source): Like the shipped Claws, Thunderbird+Enigmail or
> > the upcoming Kontact on Windows. (Disclosure: Many Gpg4win developers are
> > also involved with Kontact and the Kolab Groupware.)
> >
> > http://www.thunderbird-mail.de/wiki/Enigmail_OpenPGP
> > http://wiki.kolab.org/Kontact_for_Windows_(Enterprise-5) in development
>
> Best Regards and a fine end of the year season,
> Bernhard


-- 
Managing Director + Owner: www.Intevation.net <- A Free Software Company
Kolabsys.com: Board Member          FSFE.org: Founding GA Member
Intevation GmbH, Osnabrück, DE; Amtsgericht Osnabrück, HRB 18998
Geschäftsführer Frank Koormann, Bernhard Reiter, Dr. Jan-Oliver Wagner
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