[cooker-server] Kolab - a better way to spend development time

[magic]

Hello all,

   I have been reviewing the kolab messages, and a simple thought comes 
to mind - Does MDK really need this?

   It has been quite a few months that I've been away from the cooker 
lists (just not enough time), but was wondering why we want/need kolab 
in cooker/distro?

   A while back (summer 03), I built a MDK mail server based on 9.1, 
that replicated (even exceeds) the functionality provided by the kolab 
server. The install was completly based on 9.1 & cooker rpms that 
existed at the time. Of note, I must admit that I do not have a single 
"pretty" interface to manage the server, but using a few different 
webui's doesn't bother me.

   I am not against having kolab in the distro, however I believe the 
better approach would be to utilize what is already there (postfix, 
cyrus, openldap, hylafax, proftp, apache, webmin, etc) and focus 
valuable development time on a centralized server management console.

   All the pieces are already in place, but what would be wonderful is 
if we had a centralized (gui/webui) administration console. For example, 
when a new user is added to the system, all of the required ldap entries 
should made, samba shares configured (as desired) mailing lists are 
joined, ect.

   I would be interested in your thoughts...

   Cheers!

   S