About eMöbius

Frequently Asked Questions

What is eMöbius?

eMöbius is a highly customizable electronic mail and communications program.  Similar in features to Microsoft Outlook, eMöbius fully supports both POP and IMAP email servers, and is extensible, allowing the customer to add support for other email servers, or to customize it in many different ways.  

 

What is Zeus?

ZEUS stands for "Zugg's Extensible User-interface Scripting" and is the core application that eMöbius is built upon.  The majority of eMöbius is written in a text-based XML scripting format, which is interpreted by the core Zeus application engine.  This allows the customer to edit the eMöbius application to add features, customize it, and completely change the user interface as needed, while still running using the facilities provided by the core Zeus engine. [More information about Zeus]

 

When I download eMöbius I don't see any email client!

Currently, eMöbius is only available as a "Pre-Order".  The file that you download only contains some technology demonstrations showing how Zeus is used to write user-extensible applications.  The actual eMöbius application files will ship later this year.  Any license that you purchased for using the demo applications will be valid for the future eMöbius application.  Stay tuned to the www.emobius.com web site for future announcements.

 

When will eMöbius actually ship then?

The initial Beta versions of eMöbius are expected in the Fall of 2004.  The first public version is expected later in 2005.

 

How do I customize eMöbius?

Load the eMöbius.zml file into any text editor, such as Notepad.  This is the main application user interface file for eMöbius.  This is the file interpreted by the core Zeus engine.  This file is a standard XML format.  The extension is "zml" instead of "xml" so that Windows can run Zeus directly if you click on a "zml" file.  The Documentation Library contains more detailed information on Zeus applications and how to customize them.

 

Is a Zeus Development Environment available?

Since Zeus application files are stored in standard XML format, any XML tool can be used to edit or manipulate the file.  However, for those who want a full development environment, a project called "ZDE" (Zeus Development Environment) is planned.  ZDE will allow you to develop Zeus applications in a graphical development environment similar to Visual Basic, or Borland's Delphi.  Stay tuned to the www.emobius.com for further announcements.  This product will be released after the first public version of eMöbius.

 

How does eMöbius differ from Microsoft Outlook?

eMöbius was intended to replace Microsoft Outlook for most users.  However, eMöbius does not have any built-in support for Microsoft Exchange servers.  Plugins from 3rd parties might be available for Exchange Server, but eMöbius itself only supports POP and IMAP natively.  Otherwise, eMöbius shares a similar Visual Basic scripting ability to customize itself, and has the same full COM object support for external applications and plugins.  Outlook Plugins cannot be directly loaded into eMöbius, but since eMöbius uses a similar architecture, the plugin developer should be able to create a new version that works with eMöbius.  eMöbius is less expensive than Outlook and works on any version of Windows from Windows 95 to the latest version, and does not require any Microsoft Office components.  A more detailed Feature Comparison Chart is available.

 

How does eMöbius differ from Mozilla Thunderbird?

Mozilla is an Open-Source, Cross-Platform development system.  Firefox is the Web browser written to run on Mozilla, and Thunderbird is the email client written for Mozilla.  In a sense, Mozilla is like Zeus and Thunderbird is like eMöbius.  Mozilla/Thunderbird and Zeus/eMöbius are very similar in design and architecture.  The major difference is that Mozilla is cross-platform and runs on Windows, linux, and other operating systems.  Zeus is Windows-Only and does NOT run on any other operating system.  So, if you require an email client that runs on different operating systems, eMöbius is NOT for you.  However, Zeus/eMöbius is optimized for Microsoft Windows and natively supports Windows features such as COM objects and Microsoft Scripting that Mozilla does not support.  So, if you only use Microsoft Windows, Zeus/eMöbius will be faster, take less memory, and be more compatible with your other applications.  For application developers, Mozilla only supports Javascript, whereas Zeus supports any scripting language installed into the Microsoft Scripting engine, which includes Visual Basic and Javascript by default, and can be expanded to include scripting languages such as Perl and Python.  A more detailed Feature Comparison Chart is available.

 

How does eMöbius differ from IBM/Lotus Notes?

Like Zeus, Lotus Notes is also an application development system.  The Lotus Notes Email application support many of the same features as eMöbius.  However, while Zeus can be used to development almost any type of application, every Lotus Notes application is a database application.  Thus, in order to run Lotus Notes applications, you must be running a Domino server.  Domino is the database server used for Notes applications.  Lotus Notes is much more expensive than Zeus/eMöbius and is intended for large-scale corporate installations.  Zeus and eMöbius are intended for individual users or small workgroups or small businesses that cannot afford the full investment in Lotus Notes.

 

I use Outlook Express, AOL, MSN, Hotmail, or Yahoo Mail.  Should I switch to eMöbius?

eMöbius is not free.  If you are happy with your current email provider, than there is no reason to switch to eMöbius.  However, if you are looking for more features in your email client, better control over spam, or need an email program that can be customized to work the way *you* want it to work, then you should try eMöbius for 30-days for free.  If you like it, then you'll need to buy it.  In general, eMöbius is not intended to compete with free email clients.

 

Can I run eMöbius on linux or Macintosh?

No.  Zeus and eMöbius are PC-Windows ONLY applications.  They are highly optimized for Windows and will never run on any other operating system.  If you need something similar that runs on multiple platforms, take a look at the cross-platform and open-source Mozilla project.  

 

Can I write and sell my own Zeus application?

Yes.  We are working on methods to allow you to license your own applications written for Zeus.  Your customer will still need to purchase a Zeus license in order to run your application.  You will also need programming tools that can create Windows DLL files to store the custom objects and components for your application, such as Borland's Delphi, or Microsoft's Visual Studio or Visual Basic.  You then send this DLL file to Zugg Software to have is wrapped with the eLicense system.  When people run your application, they will need to buy a license for your DLL file.  eLicense will handle the licensing and sales and will send you a monthly check for your sales, minus their processing charges.  This system is still under development.  You will need to be a licensed customer of the Zeus Development Environment (ZDE).  Once the ZDE is shipping, interested developers should contact Zugg Software for more information on how to license their own custom applications.

 

How is eMöbius licensed?

At this early stage, licensing details are still being worked out.  Currently, any license that you buy will allow you to download and use current and future versions of Zeus and eMöbius for a period of 2 years.  After your 2 years is up, you will be able to purchase an upgrade for a reduced cost that will give you another 2 years of new versions.  The reduced upgrade cost will be valid for 6 months after your initial 2 years has expired.  If you purchase an additional 2 years at a later time, you will have to pay the full cost of that current version again.

 

NOTE: The versions you download during your 2 years will work forever and will never expire.  The 2 years only applies to downloading and running newer versions.

 

EXAMPLE: You purchase eMöbius at version 2.0.  Every month or so, a new minor update is released.  You can download and run those updates for free.  A year later, eMöbius v3.0 is released.  Since this is within your initial 2 year license period, you can download and run v3.0 for free and continue using it forever.  13 months later, eMöbius v4.0 is released.  Now you are past your initial 2 year license period, so if you download and run v4.0, it will not work.  You can continue using your previous version, or since you are within 6 months of your license expiration, you can buy a new upgrade license for a reduced cost.  This will give you a new 2-year license period, starting at the time that you purchase your upgrade.  Let's say you decide to wait, and 6 months later eMöbius v5.0 is released.  Now you are past your 6-month grace period and if you want to run v5.0, you will need to buy a new 2-year license at the full price.  Or, again, you can continue to use your old versions that will continue to work forever.

This licensing scheme is designed to protect both the customer and the developer.  As a customer, you get free upgrades for 2 years after you purchase your license.  This protects you from buying a product right before a new major version and then getting charged for that version like some other companies do.  During the 2 year period, you can expect many minor updates, and at least one new major update.  This is better than many companies that charge for each new major version.  However, Zugg Software is also protected so that it can continue to make enough money to offer continuous development of new features, and provide quality technical support.

 

I lost my registration code.  How do I get it back?

If eMöbius is still installed on your computer, right-click on the ZEUS.EXE file and select the License Details from the eLicense Control menu.  If eMöbius is not installed, go to the eLicense support page at www.elicense.com and enter your customer information to retrieve your license information.

 

I just got a new computer.  Can I still run eMöbius?

Your eMöbius license allows you to install and run it on up to 3 different computers.  So, you can run the same copy of eMöbius on your home computer, your work computer, and your laptop, for example.  If you get a new computer, you can "Unlicense" eMöbius on one of your existing computers.  Simply right-click on the ZEUS.EXE file and select Unlicense from the eLicense Control menu.  Once you have unlicensed eMöbius on your old computer, you can then re-use that registration code on your new computer.  Just run Zeus or eMöbius and enter your registration code when prompted.

 

I had to reformat Windows.  What happened to my license?

When you run eMöbius, it will contact the remote eLicense server and will re-issue your license automatically.  Your license is tied to your computer hardware, so if you have completely changed your hardware and get a CODE 17 error, that means all 3 of your licenses are in use and you need to contact eLicense at support@elicense.com to have your license reset.

 

Will my license ever expire?

No, your license is valid forever for the version of eMöbius you purchased, and every new version released for the following 2 years.

 

Does eMöbius "phone home" all the time to validate it's license?

No.  eMöbius will contact the remote eLicense database to verify your registration code the first time you purchase it.  After that it will not contact the eLicense servers again.  If you reformat or change computer hardware, then you might need to Unlicense and relicense the software and when this happens, it *will* need to contact eLicense again. 

 

I'm not connected to the Internet.  How do I install my license?

Normally, eMöbius requires an active connection to the Internet to install and validate your license the first time you run it.  If your computer is not connected to the Internet, you can click the Offline button in the license installation and then use a different computer that is connected to the Internet to obtain your license validation, which you can then copy and paste into your unconnected computer to activate it's license.

 

Does it matter if I change the date on my computer?

If you are using the 30-day free trial period, changing the date on your computer might invalidate your trial and end it early.  However, once eMöbius is registered, then you can freely change your date without a problem, although you should never change your date or time while any software is actually running on your computer.