Microsoft Toughens Up Outlook. The new version of Microsoft's popular e-mail program has added security features and spam-fighting capabilities. But critics say Outlook 2003 offers nothing that isn't already available in other programs. By Michelle Delio. [Wired News]
This is nothing new. Microsoft releases a new product, claiming the world, only to discover that the world has had the product for years. In the new version of Outlook, some of the "new" features:
- options to disable malicious code
- ability to block "spam"
If you haven't been around lately, let me bring you to the 1990s and a little used corporate system called GroupWise from a little known company called Novell. GroupWise had the ability at both the server and the client to disable the very code that has been causing havoc in the MS world. So, here in 2003, Microsoft is just getting around to adding it to its flagship email client. In case you are not a big GroupWise user, you should know that Eudora, an email client that has been around since the dawn of public access to the Internet, has had similar abilities, plus the added bonus that it isn't affected by the worms that generally plague the MS clients.
Blocking spam is a BIG deal. I have yet to find a program, other than filters I create myself that actually do a good job. Inevitably, they let through the "crap" while catching the valuable emails (like those from list servers). Eudora 6, which came out earler this year has a very nice spam filter - it isn't perfect, but you can teach it (a nice feature) to let through the emails you want and classify stuff as spam on an on-going basis. Combined with its very strong filtering system and you have a solid email client that STILL is not affected by the hackers that are after your address book!
A nice new feature in Outlook 2003 is the ability to disable all macros! WOW! What genius came up with this...more importantly, WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG! Microsoft has constantly released software into the wild and let its userbase to the testing. Aparently, in Office 2003, they introduced fewer new features and spend more time tightening up the code. Only time will tell, but personally, I think I will wait for the second service pack. With Office 2003 due to release the end of the month, I expect by December, it should be ready for SP2. Unless SP1 is already available....
9:54:03 AM 
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