I need an explanation of MS outlook. I've always avoided it due to bad security.

[Chuckiechan]

I may be confused, but I have avoided using MS outlook. I plan on using a database application (Act) that wants to hook up with MS outlook.

It has been my impression that Outlook is the superhighway for most visrues that spread via address book.

Am I getting something confused, or are my concerns valid?

Thanks in advance...

[Shifter2101]

now its only outlook thats a superhighway for bugs?
i thought M$ in general was...

I use M$ Outlook. It's the TARGET, but common sense and good security practices will eliminate most issues.

[Bill in SD, CA]

I don't know if your concerns are valid but I've been told the same thing.

I use Netscape for my mail and IE for browsing.

Bill

[Chuckiechan]

What exactly is it used for?

I haven't installed Act yet, because it is going to start leading me around and I want to know what to expect before I start.

I usually delete Outlook from the desktop first thing.

[tmx468]

I've done the whole ACT thing in an office environment... I hope you don't have a lot of users/big database!

ACT piggybacks onto Outlook, and has its own front end for e-mail, so it can save incoming mails, and those you send to customers within each cutomers notes...

So I don't think outlook viruses etc would affect the PC the same way.. but precautions are still advisable - AV etc...

Chris

[Chuckiechan]

If I'm not planning many E mails, should I just ignore the Outlook facet of the installation?

I'm not in a business that is E mail heavy.

[osprey4]

Originally posted by Chuckiechan
I usually delete Outlook from the desktop first thing.

You're thinking of Outlook Express, which is part of Internet Explorer. Very stripped down version of the MS Office application Outlook, which is a nice full featured mail, calendar, contact, etc. client.

If you keep them up to date and use the usual precautions (AV etc.), neither is the "viral haven" people make them out to be.

Act is a contact database, and probably hooks up with Outlook (the full featured one) for mail and calendar. I know Act can work with PDA's, and PDA's also work with Outlook.

[tmx468]

The reason ACT can hook up with Outlook is to record e-mails sent to particular contacts - if that is not a feature you need, stick to your current e-mail package..

[Scott Tiger]

Well I've pimped Thunderbird around here quite a bit but I have to say that Outlook 2003 is my new favorite. It's really full featured and it's been really stable too (for the past week or so anyway). If you're going to start using Outlook you should check it out.