(e.g. a folder is not a box)
Computer terms do evolve.
Before the intervention of Windows, "directory" was the common term for the entity containing folders on a storage device. With Windows, that term got replaced by "folders" (except maybe for some technical people, - sysadmins and (at least some) software developers).
"Folders" is widely used for the "collections" of files and "collections" of mail.
(E.g. check it is very common to hear: "You should check your Spam-folder...")
"Mailbox" term is old and comes from the "snail" mail. With that comes some variations (mbox, box, ..) That terminology is very common, and it is present in the e-mail-releated programs, apps, and services (e.g. pobox.com)
Interestingly enough, several large online storage services also use "box" for "storage":
dropbox, box.com, ...
So, at least in English, there is a large overlap between "folder" and "box" in how they are used in the "digital world", while in the "analog" world they are very different.
I agree with StR.
Hello, I was surprised to see that there was a decision for "SmartBox".
From my point of view this was not the best choice . I showed some friends the UI of AquaMail with SmartBox at the top. They thought of similar things like "Fritz!Box" (router model) and mailbox, which is associated in german language with a voice mail system. But one of them supposed, that there could be some magic, which is done by the SmartBox.
Now I see this result:
I restarted a discussion about translation of Smart Folder, and there was a discussion again about it, thank you - though it would have been better, if some more users were involved.
The new term is not the one I would see as the best one, (e.g. a folder is not a box). But at least we get rid of the english term "folder". So bottom line it's a step forward.
@nica:
I think "Box" could be a good replacement for "Folder" and the new wording "SmartBox" should be sufficient and understandable also for Germans.
"Smart" is quite a common phrase also in Germany regarding electronic devices like Smartphone, SmartWatch, Smartband (e.g. Sony's Smartband SWR10 ), Smart TV ..
.... and a "Box" is a container for various things (German terms: "Behälter", "Kiste", "Schachtel",...).
In addition to that "Box" is a common used term also in german language, e.g.:
"box (container)" <> "Box (Behälter)"
"lunch box" <> "Lunch-Box"
"horse box" <> "Pferdebox"
"mailbox" <> "Mailbox"
"parking space" <> "Parkbox"
"Jukebox" <> "Musikbox"
"Toolbox" <> "Werkzeugbox"
"collecting box" <> "Sammelbox", (e.g. "Zeitschriftenbox")
"file box" <> "Ablagebox"
... and so on
In summary, I agree with your statement "But at least we get rid of the english term "folder". So bottom line it's a step forward".
And "SmartBox" sounds a bit "magic", not even something ordinary ;-)
Regards
Mike