MailDrop

A recent update to Dropbox is apparently causing issues for MailDrop that are preventing it from running. The mechanism that MailDrop uses to determine the location of the Dropbox folder has changed and causes a fatal error in MailDrop’s loading sequence. An update is on the way to fix this problem, and until then MailDrop most likely won’t work. I apologize for the issue and hope to get it resolved quickly.

It’s been a long time coming, but MailDrop 2.0 is finally available for Windows, Mac, and Linux! The application itself isn’t all that different, but behind the scenes everything is brand new. This means the app will run smoother, and bug fixes will come quicker. Since this is a brand new code release of MailDrop, there are purposefully not many new bells and whistles. The main priority is to release a stable application and then build from there. The biggest improvement (aside from stability) is that MailDrop will now let you download from multiple labels to multiple folders. Now you can use MailDrop on one email address for multiple purposes. For example you can set up a Work label and a Personal label, directing work files to one folder while personal files go to a separate one!

Also with this new version we are introducing a payment method. MailDrop will from now on be separated into two versions: MailDrop Basic and MailDrop Executive. Don’t worry though, we’re not looking to rip anybody off MailDrop Basic offers all of the standard features you would expect MailDrop to have, however it is limited to 10 file downloads per day. This should be more than enough for the average user and so this limit will rarely, if ever, be hit. For those who use MailDrop for business purposes, there is a new MailDrop Executive which has no limit on the number of downloads. There are also a few super-user features such as the ability to run commands after files have been downloaded. For those who use MailDrop for batch-processing, you can now automatically execute a command once the files have been downloaded! And of course, more executive features are on the way!

So head on over to the Download page to take MailDrop for a spin! And be sure to check back for future updates!

MailDrop Basic

MailDrop Executive

The new version of MailDrop is nearing completion and is in the process of getting the rough edges polished off. Before the program is released, I would like to put it through the paces of a formal beta testing. If you feel you have what it takes (an interest in MailDrop, a general knowledge of computers, and a lot of patience), a select few will be hand-picked for putting MailDrop through the ringer. To be considered for the beta, fill out the form by hitting the Read More button. Beta testers will be selected in the next week so hurry up to get your spot! If you aren’t selected, don’t fret: the Release version will be out soon enough. Of course, if you give a donation of any size, you will be automatically added to the beta test! So if the form looks too long, just give us a bribe by hitting the donate button

Read more…

I’m happy to report the development of the new version of MailDrop is running smoothly, with all of the main features and graphical elements in place. I’m working on adding a few extras on top of the current version of MailDrop, but my main focus is on improving stability and, of course, cross-platform operability. This means all of you Linux and Mac users out there (and all you Windows people without system updates on :O) will be able to enjoy this tool! I am currently testing the program in Windows and Ubuntu, but unfortunately can’t test in OS X because I don’t have a Mac… Without being able to completely ensure the mac experience is bug-free, I won’t be able to support a mac release. That’s not to say it won’t work on a mac, but don’t expect it to be smooth sailing. So I have a proposition…

Introducing the “Papa Needs a Brand New Mac: A Fund for the Betterment of MailDrop Development Through the Acquiring of an OS X-based Machine” Fundraiser. For those who are interested in using MailDrop on a Mac (and I know there’s alot of you out there!) I would greatly appreciate any donations to allow me to purchase something such as a used Mac Mini to help me to continue true cross-platform development. A donation can be made by clicking the Donate button below or on the side bar. Those who donate will not only feel good about helping out a poor developer but will also be given exclusive beta access to MailDrop.  Also when MailDrop is released, to support continued development and website hosting, there will be a paid Executive version for power users. If you donate at least $10 before the release of MailDrop, you will receive the Executive version for free!

So to all of those who have found MailDrop useful in the past, to those who like the idea of universal apps, and even those who are frustrated that MailDrop has gone almost a year without an update; this is the time for you to show your support! Help me to make my hundreds of hours of work not go in vain!

Thank you!

Well it certainly has been a long time since the last MailDrop update, and I’m really sorry for that. MailDrop has gotten very close to the brink of vaporware for a few reasons, but I wanted to awaken this nearly-dead site for a few announcements.

Win7/Server2008 Issues

Over the past month or so, I have gotten a huge number of reports that MailDrop will not run in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008. There are a few known issues in MailDrop, but this is another story. Some update in either Windows or the .NET Framework has caused the program to break completely. Even I am having this issue, and even with the source code itself I cannot figure out why it is happening. It especially doesn’t help that the built-in .NET crash reports offer no help. To those who are affected by this issue, I am sorry, but thank you for sticking around and letting me know this is a problem.

Website Downtime

Over the next month, this website will have some offline time. I am in the middle of switching web hosts and the transition is not being smooth. You may have already noticed this, I’ve been having issues with it for the past few weeks. The full domain should (hopefully) be stable this time next month, but for now the only fool-proof solution is to go to getmaildrop.dreamhosters.com. This will be the backup site until everything is fully transfered.

New Version (someday)

Due to the unknown issue with MailDrop and a few other difficult issues, I am currently in the middle of re-writing MailDrop from scratch. For those who are curious, the existing version of MailDrop is written in C# using the .NET Framework and a third-party IMAP email library. While some of the issues in MailDrop come from quirks within (and my shameful ignorance of) the .NET Framework, the vast majority of problems are caused by the email library I am using. It is a free, community-driven, half-complete library that barely works. Most of the attachment downloading functionality I had to write myself, and therefore it is very buggy. To compound the issue, since the last update of MailDrop I have migrated to a new computer, meaning alot of the work that had been done was lost. Unable to pick up where I left off, results in it being very difficult to guarantee any stable update on the current code. Another glaring issue is the unavoidable fact that .NET is not cross-platform. So all of you patient Mac and Linux users out there are left in the cold.

To combat all of these issues I am, as I said, working on a completely new, multi-platform version of MailDrop. The basic functionality is complete, leaving just the interface and cross-platform stability testing to be completed. As of now, expect the new version to be out sometime in late-April/early-May. So for those having problems, please hold tight. I’m sorry for not replying to hardly any comments or issue submissions. I’ve been holding my tongue since I didn’t know how to fix these bugs given the current situation. But hopefully once this new version is out, I will be much more responsive to future issues.

Thanks again for your patience, hopefully not everybody has given up on MailDrop Here’s to a fresh start!

Welcome to the new MailDrop website! With this website comes a big update to MailDrop! MailDrop now checks for updates and will download them without you having to go to the website (asking your permission, of course) and has a Tutorial for new users. There’s also a new About window in the application which allows you to see if there’s an update, view the tutorial, visit the website, and donate to MailDrop. There are also a few more updates, like push support, which lets MailDrop sit and listen for new emails rather than constantly connecting and polling for emails. Check out the Download page for the full scoop! Thank you to all of those who have donated or given input to help improve MailDrop. As a free application, it is you who keep MailDrop running. If you like MailDrop, please consider donating, any amount helps keep it alive! Also be sure to spread the word to fellow Dropbox users, with this new website comes commenting, and social sharing! Be sure to use them!

Thanks again for your patience and trust. Stay tuned, more updates are on the way!