
It's cost effective
IBM/Lotus recently stopped their "Total Campus Option" solution for new institutions. They do have a new program called "
IBM Scholars Program". From IBM - "The IBM Scholars Program is designed to provide faculty and researchers at higher education institutions worldwide with a wealth of academic and research offerings, resources and benefits from IBM. The IBM Scholars Program delivers a wide breadth of IBM software, hardware and technologies. In addition, you can take advantage of the associated learning materials and curriculum, discounts on books and events, technical support, community resources and more!"
Pricing for Lotus Notes/Domino is now at the server/student level but at education pricing.
For example, the Domino Enterprise per Processor license (ACAD) would cost $1,186 (retail) for an academic institution while it is priced at $2,964 (retail) for commercial. Similarly, the iNotes per user cal (ACAD) would cost $38.85 (retail) for an academic institution while it is priced at $97.12 (retail) for commercial. SMB's (under 1000 employees have other special pricing). Read about IBM Lotus Notes Domino
licensing here.
Nicer email interface
iNotes (renamed recently to Domino Web Access) has vastly improved (even recently with the 6.5 release - read spec sheet in PDF format here). There are some nice new features like being able to send and file - something you couldn't do before unless you were using the Notes client. For more information on all the new features of 6.5, read this article.
6.5 Client runs on Mac platform
Click here for trial download
Lotus Notes and Domino 6 demos
This fast-paced demo highlights the comprehensive portfolio of innovative software products and services that make up IBM Lotus Notes and Domino 6. This demo was put together by IBM. Click a link below to view from a Netscape or Microsoft browser using Macromedia Flash player. Each section of the demo is approximately 4-5 minutes in duration.
Additional Demos from IBM including for Version 7
http://demos.dfw.ibm.com/brands/lotus/
PC Magazine calls it "Better for IT and Users"

"The first major upgrade since 1999, IBM Lotus Notes 6, paired with Lotus Domino 6 Enterprise Server offers an impressive mix of features that will lower the administrative effort with this messaging platform while improving the experience of everyday users."
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