Exchange & Outlook UPDATE, Outlook Edition, June 10, 2003

~~~~ This Issue Sponsored By ~~~~

McAfee/Network Associates http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;5610956;8100913;f?http://www.mcafeesecurity.com/om/ne247.asp?sid=%esid!&pid=%epid!&mc=%m

Sunbelt Software http://list.winnetmag.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eRIp0HVYYl0CBg0BAkL0AS

1. Commentary - Outlook's Overlooked Features

2. Announcements - Assessing Security Risks in Exchange 2003 - Learn 10 Ways to Deal with Spam!

3. Resources - Tip: A Calendar Solution for a Boss and Assistant

4. Events - Security 2003 Road Show

5. New and Improved - Remotely Access Email

6. Contact Us - See this section for a list of ways to contact us.

~~~~ Sponsor: McAfee/Network Associates ~~~~ The onslaught of spam bombarding your company each day seriously impacts your network's performance, along with employee productivity and company profitability. McAfee(R) Security SpamKiller(tm) for Microsoft(R) Exchange Small Business delivers multi-layered protection right out of the box, to stop 95% of unwanted spam before it ever reaches your users. Built on proven market-leading McAfee SpamAssassin(tm) technology, it's easy to use and administer. SpamKiller for Microsoft Exchange increases the productivity of your network and your employees far more effectively than any other anti-spam strategy. Order your free trial today at http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;5610956;8100913;f?http://www.mcafeesecurity.com/om/ne247.asp?sid=%esid!&pid=%epid!&mc=%m

==== 1. Commentary: Outlook's Overlooked Features ==== by Patricia Cardoza, Guest News Editor, [email protected]

Most computer programs follow the old 80/20 rule--80 percent of the users use a mere 20 percent of the features. Although not every feature in Outlook makes sense for every user, you can help your users be more productive by introducing them to some of Outlook's often-overlooked features.

One of these features is the ability to configure Outlook to start in a folder other than Inbox--perhaps, Outlook Today. Outlook Today gives you an overview of your upcoming appointments and meetings and your active tasks, and shows you how many new messages you have in a variety of folders. If you're an avid user of Outlook Today, you might want to show the Outlook Today folder at start-up. To do so, click "Customize Outlook Today" on the Outlook Today screen and select the "When starting, go directly to Outlook Today" option. You can also configure Outlook to start in any of your other default folders. To do so, select Tools, Options and go to the Other tab. Click Advanced Options and use the "Startup in this folder" drop-down list to choose the folder you want to display when Outlook starts. The folders you can choose from when starting Outlook depend on your Outlook version. In Outlook 2000, you're limited to Inbox, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks. In Outlook 2002, you can also choose the Journal or Notes folders. I have Outlook start in my Calendar folder so that I can see first thing what appointments I have that day.

Calendar labeling is another lightly used feature. Present only in Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2002, calendar labeling lets you color code your appointments, meeting requests, and events based on customizable labels. I've customized labels for Programming, Technical Support, Writing, Family, Travel, Medical, FYI, and Personal events. When I look at my calendar, I know that any green appointment has something to do with programming. Color-coded appointments help me better plan my day by preparing me mentally for the types of tasks I'll need to work on that day. To assign a label to a particular appointment, meeting, or event, click the Label drop-down box on the first page of the appointment form. You can't add or delete labels, but you can change the name of any of the 10 provided labels. To do so, select Edit, Label, Edit Labels to display the Edit Calendar Labels dialog box. When you're done editing label names, click OK to save your changes.

If you're operating in an Exchange Server environment, you can take advantage of Outlook's ability to open additional mailboxes and folders. For example, when I'm traveling out of the office on business, I try to keep my calendar up-to-date. I then grant my boss permission to view my calendar. He can open my calendar and see where I am at any given time during the day. If there's a problem at the office and I'm in a meeting, he doesn't call me unless the situation is urgent. However, if I'm between meetings and he has a question, he can call me and expect to find me available. To grant another user permissions on your calendar folder, right-click the Calendar folder in the folder list and choose Properties. Go to the Permissions tab and grant the appropriate permissions to the user. The user can then open your calendar folder in his or her Outlook client by selecting File, Open, Other User's Folder; entering your name; and selecting the folder he or she wants to access. The folder will open in a separate window in the user's Outlook client. Outlook 2003 takes this functionality one step further by letting you display multiple calendar folders side by side in one window. Each calendar folder has its own color so that you can easily tell whose calendar you're viewing at any moment.

Outlook is a powerful program that few users explore fully. By implementing some advanced features, you can use Outlook to greatly increase your productivity.

~~~~ Sponsor: Sunbelt Software ~~~~ iHateSpam SE is uniquely tailored to the exact features you require as an Exchange Administrator: Spam detection in excess of 90% -- Constantly updated spam engine -- Low rate of false positives -- Spam filtering at the server level, no client software needed -- Extremely flexible, policy-based filters, so each end-user gets what they need -- Exclusively designed for Exchange 2000/2003 and Active Directory -- "Configure-it-and-forget-it"; hands-off spam management http://list.winnetmag.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eRIp0HVYYl0CBg0BAkL0AS

==== 2. Announcements ==== (from Windows & .NET Magazine and its partners)

Assessing Security Risks in Exchange 2003 Videotaped live at Microsoft TechEd 2003, this free archived Web seminar delivers an introduction to the new security features and enhancements of Exchange Server 2003, including the new security APIs that can minimize virus risk and spam traffic. Plus, you'll discover more about the future of the messaging industry and what's on the horizon in assessing risk. Register today! http://www.winnetmag.com/seminars/securityrisks

Learn 10 Ways to Deal with Spam! In this audiocast event, you'll discover simple but effective ways to fight spam, plus learn the common tricks spammers use to get your email address. You'll also receive a free white paper from NetIQ about controlling spam and the chance to download a free trial of NetIQ MailMarshal SMTP. Register today! http://www.winnetmag.com/seminars/spam

==== 3. Resources ====

Tip: A Calendar Solution for a Boss and Assistant by Sue Mosher, [email protected]

Q: I'm trying to set up a calendar solution for my boss and his new assistant. Currently, the assistant can share the boss's calendar, but I want the assistant to be able to view the calendar offline. Can you help?

A: Offline folders can contain folders only from the primary mailbox or Public Folders. You can't take folders from a secondary mailbox offline. Potential workarounds depend on whether the assistant has full access to the boss's mailbox.

If the assistant has full access, he or she can create a new Outlook profile to connect directly to the boss's mailbox, then configure that mailbox for offline use. To switch between his or her profile and the boss's mailbox profile, the assistant will need to shut down Outlook.

If the assistant doesn't have full access, he or she can copy everything from the boss's calendar folder into a folder in his or her own mailbox and can then take that folder offline. You can simplify the procedure of copying items from a calendar folder if you display the folder in a table view (e.g., By Category).

See the Exchange & Outlook Administrator Web site for more great tips from Sue Mosher. http://www.exchangeadmin.com

==== 4. Events ==== (brought to you by Windows & .NET Magazine)

Security 2003 Road Show Join Mark Minasi and Paul Thurrott as they deliver sound security advice at our popular Security 2003 Road Show event. http://www.winnetmag.com/roadshows/security2003

==== 5. New and Improved ==== by Carolyn Mader, [email protected]

Remotely Access Email Loudfire released LoudPC Service, which lets you remotely access and share PC files, email messages, contacts, calendars, tasks, and notes from any browser, Web-enabled phone, or PDA. LoudPC lets you access Outlook and Outlook Express in real time to manage your information from any remote location. You can use your cell phone to change or add a calendar appointment. You can selectively share Outlook information such as your calendar, contacts, and email messages with coworkers who also use LoudPC. The software and service is available for $59.95 for 12 months. Contact Loudfire at [email protected] or 918-524-4642. http://www.loudpc.com

~~~~ Sponsored Links ~~~~

FaxBack Integrate FAX into Exchange/Outlook (Whitepaper, ROI, Trial) http://www.faxback.com/w2ksponorlink/

==== 6. Contact Us ====

About the newsletter -- [email protected] About technical questions -- http://www.winnetmag.com/forums About product news -- [email protected] About sponsoring Exchange & Outlook UPDATE -- [email protected]