Because many Outlook users also use Windows Messenger, Outlook contacts provide integration between Windows Messenger contacts and email. You can enable Windows Messenger integration from the T ools, O ptions, Other tab. The P erson Name smart tag, as shown in Figure 7.1, is enabled by default when you install Outlook. Check Display Messenger Status i n the From Field to include the Messenger status icon with the smart tag. Figure 7.1. The sender's Messenger status displays in the message header when the Person Name smart tag and Display Messenger Status are enabled.
When the sender is in your contact list, the Messenger icon displays her status. The icon is gray when the sender is not in your Messenger contact list, when Display Messenger Status is disabled, or when you are not signed into Windows Messenger.
When the sender is on your Messenger contact list, you'll see the menu shown in Figure 7.1. This menu shows the person's online status and includes options to send them an email message, send an instant message, create a new contact, or open the person's contact.
The smart tag works automatically when the sender's email address is his Messenger address and is on your Messenger contact list. However, many Messenger users use Hotmail or another email address as their Messenger address; in that case, you have to add that user 's Messenger addresses to the IM field on his contact form. After you do this, the Person Name smart tag shows his Messenger status and you can send him an instant message by selecting Send Instant M essage from the Person Name smart tag menu.
The Messenger icon is red and the Send Instant M essage item is dimmed on the Person Names menu when the sender is offline. If the sender isn't on your Messenger contact list, the Person Names menu contains the Add to M essenger Contacts option and the Messenger icon is gray. Choosing Add to M essenger Contacts initiates a connection to the Passport server to confirm that the address has a Passport account. If a Passport account exists for the address, Outlook adds the address to your Messenger contact list. When the address is not associated with a Passport, a dialog informs that you the address does not exist in the Passport database. Only valid Passport addresses can be added to the Messenger contact list.
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