bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Outlook 2007

• Microsoft Windows XP
• Windows 2003 Server

Rating: 6

Time with product: 1 Week

Strengths: Did not have to spend big bucks on the office suite of which no one likes. But when it comes to email I get a lot of requests for outlook 2007

Weaknesses: Does not upgrade properly

Summary: Good alternative to purchasing the expensive suite. But has problems upgrading when you have an older version of office and install this as a standalone. When you go to upgrade it microsoft thinks you have office 2007 and will not upgrade properly.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 7 Days

Strengths: Easy to install. Conversion of messages and addresses from WINDOWS MAIL (VISTA) very easy. Lots of configuration options available with OUTLOOK.

Weaknesses: There are many configuration options so it takes some time to study and play around with the software to get it to look and work the way you want.

Summary: I am used to using OUTLOOK EXPRESS and WINDOWS VISTA. I was used to the look and feel of these products. OUTLOOK has a large number of configuration options that allowed me to adjust the way it looked and worked. I have been using OUTLOOK for about 1 week now and I am still tweaking the settings. I switched to OUTLOOK because I was changing from a PALM based PDA to a SYMBIAN based used (NOKIA PHONE) and the only way that I found to convert my names/addresses and appointments was via OUTLOOK. In any event, all devices and software are working now and almost working together. As mentioned, there is a lot of tweaking of the features and functions that I have yet to complete.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 20 Days

Strengths: Easy installation and still the best email program around.

Weaknesses: It takes a while to find the command you need if you are used to prior versions.

Summary: The installation went smoothly and so far there have been no operational problems. Although this product is a bit expensive for Outlook only, the price that I found on PriceGrabber.com could not be beat.