Horde is a free web-based groupware. The components of this groupware rest on the Horde framework. This PHP-based

framework A framework is a generic term commonly referring to an essential supporting structure which other things are built on top of. Framework may refer to: Computing * Application framework, used to implement the structure of an application for an op ...

provides all the elements required for rapid

web application A web application (or web app) is application software that is accessed using a web browser. Web applications are delivered on the World Wide Web to users with an active network connection. History In earlier computing models like client-serv ...

development. Horde offers applications such as the Horde IMP email client, a groupware package (calendar, notes, tasks, file manager), a

wiki A wiki ( ) is an online hypertext publication collaboratively edited and managed by its own audience, using a web browser. A typical wiki contains multiple pages for the subjects or scope of the project, and could be either open to the pub ...

and a time and task tracking software.

History

The Horde framework evolved from the IMP (Internet Messaging Project) webmail that Chuck Hagenbuch published on

Freshmeat Freecode, formerly Freshmeat, is a website owned by BIZX, Inc., hosting mainly open-source software for programmers and developers. Among other things, the site also hosted user reviews and discussions. While a majority of the software covered ...

in 1998. A constant stream of feature requests not all fitting for a webmail application led to the development of a more generic

backbone: the Horde framework. The first announcement on

was version 1.3.3 at the beginning of 2001. The release of Horde 2.0 and IMP 3.0 was the first one with two truly separate components. Horde as a generic web application framework primarily supported the

webmail Webmail (or web-based email) is an email service that can be accessed using a standard web browser. It contrasts with email service accessible through a specialised email client software. Examples of webmail providers are 1&1 Ionos, AOL Mail, ...

as well as a set of groupware applications by the time Horde 3.0 was released in 2004. The modular and flexible nature of the software allowed many service providers and packagers to integrate the software into their portfolio. Horde is the software used for webmail offered by SAPO which serves several million users. The software has been packaged for all major Linux distributions and is available as a component in hosting tools such as Plesk or

cPanel cPanel is a web hosting control panel software developed by cPanel, LLC. It provides a graphical interface (GUI) and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting a web site to the website owner or the "end user". It enables admin ...

. With the release of Horde 4.0 in 2011 the framework saw significant architectural changes, a split into nearly a hundred separate

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packages and support for

smartphones A smartphone is a portable computer device that combines mobile telephone and computing functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, whic ...

. While preparing the last Horde 3 maintenance release in February 2012 the Horde developers discovered that hackers breached the security of the Horde FTP server and managed to place a backdoor into three of the distributed packages. The attack had taken place in November the year before so that the modified packages were distributed over three months. One of the tainted packages was picked up by the unstable branches of

Debian Debian (), also known as Debian GNU/Linux, is a Linux distribution composed of free and open-source software, developed by the community-supported Debian Project, which was established by Ian Murdock on August 16, 1993. The first version of De ...

and

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and were fixed immediately after the successful attack was disclosed. The attackers did not modify the newer Horde 4 sources.

Applications

The Horde framework contains the following applications and application groups.

Horde Email Platform

* IMP - a web-based email client. ** MIMP - a stripped-down version of IMP for use on devices with a small screen or limited HTML support. * Ingo - an email filter rules manager. * Sork - a collection of four other Horde modules (accounts, forwards, passwd, and vacation) which together perform various account management functions.

Horde Groupware

* Kronolith - a calendar application. * Mnemo - a note manager. * Nag - a multiuser task list manager. * Turba - a Horde address book / contact manager.

Horde Groupware Webmail Edition

''Horde Groupware Webmail Edition'' extends the ''Horde Groupware'' by the Horde

e-mail Electronic mail (email or e-mail) is a method of exchanging messages ("mail") between people using electronic devices. Email was thus conceived as the electronic (digital) version of, or counterpart to, mail, at a time when "mail" meant ...

applications ''IMP'' and ''Ingo''.

Horde developer tools

* Chora – a version control repository viewer supporting CVS and

Subversion Subversion () refers to a process by which the values and principles of a system in place are contradicted or reversed in an attempt to transform the established social order and its structures of power, authority, hierarchy, and social norms ...

. * Whups – the Web Horde User Problem Solver, a ticket-tracking system

Integration into other products

Horde was the web client for the Kolab groupware system up until version 3. It is also integrated into the cPanel & WHM and Plesk Server management software.

References

External links

* {{FreeCollabManageSoftware PHP frameworks Web frameworks Collaborative software for Linux Free groupware