Eudora vs. MS Outlook 2002

[btvillarin]

Okay, I'm a current Eudora user. I'm very happy with it. But, I do want an organizer on my computer. I haven't been able to find one that's robust. I think Outlook is good for this, but I'm not sure. Should I switch? I'd like to be able to back up my email and settings to a second hard drive. Something that Eudora excels in is this, because I just keep my email on my second hard drive. Can anyone give me any suggestions/recommendations/links? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Bglad]

Well, my suggestion is keep using Eudora for mail and just use Outlook for the calendar and contacts. Outlook is a terrible mail program because it has huge security holes. Unless you need it to connect to an Exchange server, it is just a bad idea. Uh, imho.

 

[btvillarin]

(I started it up, and was thinking along those directions.) I don't need to connect to an Exchange server...nothing special at all. I just have one POP3 email account, and I just wanted an organizer. And, Outlook's security holes are the reason I'm using Eudora. But, if you can just tell me how to backup the calendar and contacts, that'd be awesome! Thanks!

 

[Bglad]

You go to file > export and you have to export each folder individually. You have to do it once for your inbox, outbox, calendar, etc.

 

[btvillarin]

Are you sure you have to do it this way? Or can you do it in one fell swoop with this add-in: MS Outlook 2002/2000 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup

 

[Bglad]

Well, your sarcasm aside, I guess you could do that. I had never seen that add in before. Obviously they made a backup add in because backing up was so difficult before.

 

[btvillarin]

My apoligies, bglad. I didn't want to make it seem sarcastic, but rereading it, it does. Sorry.

What's the difference between the archive and backup? Where do I keep the archive? Thanks again!

 

[Bglad]

Its OK. I try to be very polite on here because I've gotten a lot of help with a lot of problems but it is irritating if someone is rude when you'r'e trying to help. Apology accepted.

I had never seen that plugin before. I downloaded it but haven't tried it yet.

Archiving is when Outlook goes through your folders and removes old items. You can set the age at which point items get archived or you can turn the archive option off. You can get to archived options but you have to retrieve them manually. I can't remember how to do it because I don't use it either. There must be an archive file kept somewhere but I don't know where. Once items are archived though, you can't see them in your folders. If you are looking for an old e-mail, you have to manually restore your archive files then look for it.

Backing up is just what it sounds like, but it wasn't easy to do in Outlook because you couldn't just copy your files to another location to save them. You had to go through that process I described. Sounds like the new plugin will solve this but you still have to save it on some removeable media.

Lots of people here use Go Back or something like or they backup to another partition on their hard drive and think they are backing up. Personally I think the only safe backup is one on another hard drive or some removeable media. If you just backup to another folder on your hard drive and the drive fails your backup is gone with your original. Not much of a backup.

 

[btvillarin]

Okay, I guess it'd be hard for you to answer how that plug-in exactly backs up. It's all good, though.

Just to explain my setup, I have two hard drives. One is dedicated for Windows XP, while the other is for the Paging File and my Data. So, if I ever do a fresh install, I wanted to have my Outlook contacts and calendar saved on my data drive, to be copied over to my Windows XP drive. I was thinking of doing a backup, then importing back. Is this how I should go about it?

Thanks again...

(For the record, I really wasn't meaning to be rude. I just meant it asking if that was the only way, that's all. But, let bygones be bygones.)

 

[Bglad]

Ya, exactly. It looks like that plugin will create a backup folder and place a duplicate of your .pst files wherever you want it. That could obviously be your D drive. That would do the trick assuming you are just reinstalling the OS. In case of a HD failure, kiss it adios.

 

[bevancoleman]

<< Okay, I guess it'd be hard for you to answer how that plug-in exactly backs up. It's all good, though.

Just to explain my setup, I have two hard drives. One is dedicated for Windows XP, while the other is for the Paging File and my Data. So, if I ever do a fresh install, I wanted to have my Outlook contacts and calendar saved on my data drive, to be copied over to my Windows XP drive. I was thinking of doing a backup, then importing back. Is this how I should go about it?

Thanks again...

(For the record, I really wasn't meaning to be rude. I just meant it asking if that was the only way, that's all. But, let bygones be bygones.) >>



Backing up Outlook isn't all that hard, just copy the *.pst file to somewhere safe.

 

[KB]

Outlook isn't necessary insecure. Its just that it uses Internet Explorer for html mail displays and IE is insecure. Also all the new viruses access the Outlook Addressbook to propagate themselves, so Outlook gets a bad name. If you avoid running strange attachments you will be safe to use Outlook for mail. You should also update to the latest patches like all MS products.

 

[bevancoleman]

<< Outlook isn't necessary insecure. Its just that it uses Internet Explorer for html mail displays and IE is insecure. Also all the new viruses access the Outlook Addressbook to propagate themselves, so Outlook gets a bad name. If you avoid running strange attachments you will be safe to use Outlook for mail. You should also update to the latest patches like all MS products. >>


Also running a virus scanner is always good, I use Outlook all the time and have never had a problem.

There is also a trick where you put a contact with the name of '!0000' (sorts to the top) and email address of 'someemail' (note the lack of domain). The reason that this works is that Outlook checks email address when they get sent, and the email is invalid so Outlook aborts sending emails.

 

[btvillarin]

Well, I'm one person who always tries to stay on top of updates and patches. I know never to download attachments from people I don't know. I always have a AV scanning email and stuff, too. But, the only thing different is how to back up those email boxes, too. If someone would give me a good enough reason to switch from Eudora to Outlook, I probably would. I mean, if you think about it, Outlook has a lot to offer, compared to Eudora. But, I'm sure I'll get some replies just by saying that.

 

[manly]

My 2 cents: Choosing Outlook over Eudora is a terrible idea.

 

[Razorbacks]

Getting back to the original question of getting an organizer...you may want to look at calendarscope. I have used it off and on. When I have a lot of things going on, it is very easy to use and intuitive. Problem is....I usually do not have much going on to keep it up to date.
I liked the dsclock program that is free with a seperate download. Gives a summary of today's events as well as atomic clock sync.
I never registered the calendarscope program--it is fully functioning with the nag screen at startup. I am sure with some searching you could crack it. Or be a real breath of fresh air and actually pay for the license....
Give it a look
I also support using Eudora over Outlook. Eudora always has been and will be an email client and does it very well. Outlook is too much "kitchen sink" bloatware IMO.

 

[btvillarin]

Well, thinking about the hassle of something else to worry about (email), I think I'll stick with Eudora. I'm perfectly fine with it, and there's no need to switch. For a PIM, though, I'll take a look at your suggestion for CalendarScope when I get home from school. I do like how Outlook works, though. But, I'm always open for suggestions. Thanks for your help - all of you.

 

[bjb86s]

<< There is also a trick where you put a contact with the name of '!0000' (sorts to the top) and email address of 'someemail' (note the lack of domain). The reason that this works is that Outlook checks email address when they get sent, and the email is invalid so Outlook aborts sending emails. >>



MYTH! It only stops a few viruses, it won't stop the majority of the mass-mailers.

Check it out.

Edit for more info:



<< It sounds really good, and it will work with some of the older worms and viruses. However, newer worms don't even use the email program at all to send itself out. It just gathers the information from the address book file on your computer and then uses its own built in email program to mail out the attached viruses to everyone in the file. >>

 

[DocDoo]

I've been using Eudora since '93 and have upgraded ever since (currently with 5.1 - paid). I've also been using Outlook since early '99 (on seperate PC). Office XP is their most secure version and when properly patched, has not issues with security (real-world anyway). One feature I REALLY like in Eudora is teh ability to set up a filter to delete SPAM from the server (never needing to download it then send to trash). Ironically, that feature is missing in Outlook 2000 & 2002 yet Outlook Express has it....!!??!!

If you already have Outlook installed, why not set up your mail account in Outlook but under the mail settings chose "Leave mail on server." This way you can test drive Outlook and will be able to continue using Eudora (till you decide).

BTW: On my Outlook XP PC, I have setup my .PST to be stored on a network PC (file server). This way I am safe if the main PC goes down.

 

[btvillarin]

How do you set up your .PST file to be on the network PC? I'll do the same, except set it to be on my second (data only) hard drive. Does that one file store everything, or what? I wanted to do this, in case my Windows XP hard drive chokes it.

"One feature REALLY like in Eudora is teh ability to set up a filter to delete SPAM from the server (never needing to download it then send to trash)."
>>>How do you do this? This is definitely something I'd like to know.

So far, I only use Outlook 2002 for the calendar, contacts, and tasks, while I use Eudora for email.

Thanks Doc...

 

[DocDoo]

In OXP go to TOOLS | E-Mail Accounts | View or Change Existing E-Mail Accounts ... Then look near the bottom where it says "Deliver new e-mail to the following location" and make sure Personal Folders is selected then push the New Outlook Data File. After the box pops up you will be given a choice on where to store that .PST file (use the drop down menu).

The .PST file will not contain your email properties (from ISP) and no rules. Those 2 are easily exportable from within their own options.

Just so you are clear... there is no filter called SPAM in Eudora. You would create a filter based on what you feel will contain SPAM (header, subject, content, ect..) then in the ACTION area choose Server_Option then you will have the option to set to DELETE. I must have over 60 filters set in Eudora and according to the logs, only 2% get through. But as you know, SPAM requires constant updating.

FWIW: I have even had very good luck with importing mail from one mail program to another. Both OXP and Eudora do this well.

 

[btvillarin]

Thanks, DocDoo! I'll be sure to try this out. I tell you how it goes...

 

[manly]

I've had poor luck recently using Eudora's Outlook import filter. I had the bad habit of using Outlook for email in a couple years past.

Eudora imports the messages, but only about 25% of them are correct. The others are quite garbled.

I'd love to know how to get my email out of Outlook completely. It's not a big deal, but right now Outlook is just a big email archive, which is silly.

Btw, I also tried to export my Outlook folders to a fresh .pst, and importing that .pst into Eudora also resulted in mostly corrupt messages.

Netscape wouldn't even import my Outlook email, although it (and Eudora) both imported Outlook Contacts correctly.

 

[bevancoleman]

<<

<< There is also a trick where you put a contact with the name of '!0000' (sorts to the top) and email address of 'someemail' (note the lack of domain). The reason that this works is that Outlook checks email address when they get sent, and the email is invalid so Outlook aborts sending emails. >>



MYTH! It only stops a few viruses, it won't stop the majority of the mass-mailers.

Check it out.

Edit for more info:



<< It sounds really good, and it will work with some of the older worms and viruses. However, newer worms don't even use the email program at all to send itself out. It just gathers the information from the address book file on your computer and then uses its own built in email program to mail out the attached viruses to everyone in the file. >>

>>



Most executable virus will do their own emailing, but scripted virus (which are a lot more common) will use a third party mail client (ie Outlook) as they don't have access to the needed API calls. This includes all new vbs viruses as well as the old ones.

This I know since I have pulled most new vbs viruses appart to see how they work, and trust me when I saw that the code in them is partetic. Many vbs virus are full of bugs and barely work, practacly all of them are not original but based on other viruses and code snippets. For an exercise I turned the 'encryption' in one into fully polymorphic libary which compleatly distorts the vbs every time it runs and would make it unreconisable to a virus scanner, naturally I never released it but it only took me a few hours but it still seem to beond most virus writers.

 

[bevancoleman]

<< How do you set up your .PST file to be on the network PC? I'll do the same, except set it to be on my second (data only) hard drive. Does that one file store everything, or what? I wanted to do this, in case my Windows XP hard drive chokes it.

"One feature REALLY like in Eudora is teh ability to set up a filter to delete SPAM from the server (never needing to download it then send to trash)."
>>>How do you do this? This is definitely something I'd like to know.

So far, I only use Outlook 2002 for the calendar, contacts, and tasks, while I use Eudora for email.

Thanks Doc... >>


The other way is the move your PST file, next time you launch Outlook it will bitch and ask you to select a PST, select the moved PST.

Easy