I like Thunderbird.
Of course, the only thing I use it for is email. The newsreader has
never worked right for me on it. I am using it less now, since gmail
is much better on the web, than using POP or IMAP through Thunderbird.
Compared to outlook express, Thunderbird is way ahead, giving you many
more options and features to use your email. Things like Junk mail
filtering. However, the new Windows Live Mail is a great improvement
to Express, and it should be used instead of outlook express in all
cases.
But that is all for email, for newsgroup readers, I have no idea.
For this newsgroup, I use Google Groups.
As far as an antiSpyware program running on linux. Why? Most spyware
takes advantage of Windows flaws, or installs a windows program
without your knowledge. Neither of those are possible when you use
Linux. The only possible way to have any kind of data compromised
would be a problem in Firefox that is platform (OS) independent, and
steals stuff from firefox like passwords and logins out of your
browser. No spyware or viruses for Linux.
Linux is great. My wife uses it at home and doesn't even notice that
its not windows. She doesn't care what the operating system is as long
as her email, word processing, and photos work, thats all she needs,
and I don't have to worry about her installing stuff that breaks the
computer or installs spyware or adware.