Was using Outlook Express (OS9) - should I switch to Mail or Entourage?

Question

I've still been using OS9 for my email tasks (on one computer), and running OS X on another, because I am so used to Outlook Express, and I have over a 1 GB database of 8 years of email messages that I need to maintain (for my work).
I'm finally looking at options for dumping this and doing everything on OS X (currently I have 10.3.9, but I will soon update to 10.4.x).
I've been investigating Mail, and I imported all my messages from OE into it (took about 20 hours). I've started looking into it and, perhaps it's just that I am unused to it, but it seems to lack certain features I always use, such as the ability to edit messages that are already sent or received. The folder (mailbox) management seems a bit clunky at first glance. But again, maybe if I dive in I'll find ways to do what I want.
I've also realized I own Office X Entourage (never used it), and as I write this, I'm importing all my OE data into it.
I generally really like Apple apps, and detest MS apps. It goes against my grain to not migrate to Mail at this point, but I must admit it seems as if Entourage is just a reworked, very familiar looking Outlook Express (with more stuff), and it would be so much easier for me to go there.
Can anyone tell me why I should use Mail, and not Entourage, at this point? Is Mail in 10.4.x much improved from 10.3?
Thanks!

Answer 1

Mail in 10.4 is definitely a little better, but still can't directly edit messages, though you can redirect them and edit when you redirect a messsage by using Send Again in the Message menu.
Mail has a distinct advantage over Entourage in that it does not put all your eggs in one basket. Entourage stores every piece of address book, e-mail, and calendar information in a single database file in your Documents -> Microsoft Users data in your Home folder. Mail separates mailboxes into their own files. Apple's Addressbook which Mail has access to, has its own separate files. And Apple's iCal also has its own separate files. The database of Entourage can get corrupt very easily when it becomes large. While Microsoft includes a database repair program, I found it does not always work.
While it means backing up Mail/Addressbook/iCal requires a little more navigating of specific folders, you will have a much more reliable backup than using Entourage. I suggest for someone going to Mac OS X, to consider cloning for backup, as I recommend here:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html