Part 6: Outlook
Part 6: Outlook
Chapter List
- Chapter 22: Introducing Outlook 2007
- Chapter 23: Finding and Organizing Messages
- Chapter 24: Securing Your System, Messages, and Identity
- Chapter 25: Collaboration with Outlook and Windows SharePoint Services
Jim Boyce, Beth Sheresh and Doug Sheresh
Chapter 22: Introducing Outlook 2007
Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 sports a lot of new features that improve usability and add functionality. What’s more, many of the familiar features in earlier versions have been
If you are an
This chapter also provides an overview of the architecture in Outlook 2007 to help you learn not only how Outlook 2007 works but also how it stores data. Having that knowledge, particularly if you’re charged with administering or supporting Outlook 2007 for other users, will help you use the application more effectively and address issues
This chapter explains the different options you have for connecting to e-mail servers through Outlook 2007 and the protocols-Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) and Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), for example-that support those connections. In addition to learning about client support and the various platforms on which you can use Outlook 2007, you’ll also learn about the options that are available for starting and using the program.
A New Interface
Certainly the most obvious difference in all of the 2007 Microsoft Office system applications is their new interfaces. Like the other Microsoft Office system applications, Outlook 2007 sports a new interface. In some ways, however, the differences in Outlook 2007 are not as pronounced as they are in some of the other applications, such as Microsoft Office Word 2007. Outlook 2007 blends some new interface components with improvements to its existing
Let’s take a look at the biggest difference from earlier versions-the Ribbon.
The Ribbon
Unlike some of the other 2007 Office release applications, the main Outlook 2007 window uses a familiar menu bar and toolbar combination to give you access to commands, options, and tools in Outlook 2007. The other applications, such as Office Word 2007, use a new feature called the Ribbon to give you quick access to commonly used features. Outlook 2007 does make use of the Ribbon, however, as you can see in Figure 22–1. The new message form is one of the many forms in Outlook 2007 that sports a Ribbon rather than the more familiar menu bar/toolbar combination.
Figure 22–1:
The Ribbon makes commands and features easily discoverable.
The Ribbon is something of a paradigm shift. Rather than provide a linear menu list of commands, the Ribbon divides features onto individual tabs, each of which comprises tools with related functions. For example, all of the tools that relate to inserting items into a new message are located together on the Insert tab of the new message form.
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Each Ribbon tab is divided into
groups,
and each group organizes the features for a specific function. On the Message tab of the new message form, for example, the Basic Text
Is the new Ribbon design good or bad? After you
The Navigation Pane
The Navigation Pane was first introduced in Microsoft Outlook 2002 as part of Microsoft Office XP and took the place of the Outlook Bar. The Navigation Pane gives you quick access to all of your Outlook 2007 folders (Inbox, Calendar, and so on) and adapts depending on which folder you are using. For example, when you
The Outlook 2007 Navigation Pane looks at first blush to be much like the Navigation Pane in Outlook 2002 and Outlook 2003. The main difference in Outlook 2007 is the capability to show the Navigation Pane in a
Figure 22–2:
You can collapse, or autominimize, the Navigation Pane.
Essentially, the Navigation Pane, when collapsed, acts a little like the Microsoft Windows taskbar in autohide mode. The Navigation Pane sits at the left edge of the Outlook 2007 window as a narrow vertical toolbar. You can click items in the Navigation Pane to expand them for use. For example, click the Navigation Pane section to display the Favorite Folders and folder list or views for the current folder. After you click a folder in the list to select it, the pane is hidden again. Using the Navigation Pane in collapsed mode makes more space available for displaying the contents of a folder (such as your monthly calendar) while still keeping the Navigation Pane’s features readily available.
The To-Do Bar
The To-Do Bar, shown in Figure 22–3, is another new feature in Outlook 2007 that
Figure 22–3:
The To-Do Bar combines tasks, appointments, and the Date Navigator in one location.
As with the Navigation Pane, you can configure the To-Do Bar to automatically hide after you use it. In this mode, the To-Do Bar sits at the right edge of the Outlook 2007 window as a vertical toolbar. When you click the To-Do Bar, it expands to display its contents. You can then click a date to view its appointments in the Calendar window, work with tasks, and so on. When you click again in the main Outlook 2007 window, the To-Do Bar collapses back to a vertical toolbar.
Other Interface Changes
The Outlook 2007 interface is significantly changed in other ways in addition to the Ribbon, Navigation Pane, and To-Do Bar. For example, the Calendar window has been given a visual and functional
