Oultook Add-ons
I don’t think I’ve ever really used any other email client than Outlook. It’s not that I haven’t tried others. I just find myself going back to it either because I’m just so used to it or I just find it the best darn email client out there! Yeah, pro-Microsoft :)
With so many contacts (personal and business) and projects (personal and business!) going on, I just prefer the ease with which I can group my messages into several Outlook PST files (or just separate folders) and get on with my tasks. (Notice here how Outlook helps me prioritize my work during the day.)
But hey, I’m not alone; many consider this dynamic application a platform in its own right, possessing its own strengths and vulnerabilities like Windows or Mac OS.
Microsoft has made several improvements to its mail client over the years but some of the best upgrades are provided through extension modules known as Outlook add-ons.
When it comes to Outlook addons, there is a wide variety to choose from. These handy extensions allow you to implement your mail client with functionality that ranges from RSS readers to PGP encryption.
This article will introduce you to three of the most intriguing add-ons for MS Outlook: Boxbe, ClearContext and SendShield.
Boxbe
The Boxbe Outlook add-on offers a Facebook-like, invite-only guest list that gives you the ability to decide just who is able to send mail to your inbox and who gets… well, shut out.
In simple terms, this Microsoft Outlook add-on allows you to easily create a list of people you want to communicate with.
This could be family, friends, co-workers or business clients from a specific domain. Boxbe is a unique blend of anti-spam technology and social networking wrapped into a single plug-in.
While the concept may seem trivial, you will find that the plug-in is actually quite useful. Apart from MS Outlook, Boxbe also supports both Yahoo and Google Mail.
ClearContext
ClearContext is hands down one of the best Outlook add-ons currently on the market. This extension acts as an administrative control panel for your email.
With ClearContext, you can keep track of specific projects and access comprehensive views of your messages, appointments, contacts and attachments.
ClearContext offers a streamlined process that makes it easy to share files with staff, delegate tasks and schedule appointments. This Outlook add-on comes in Personal and Professional versions, both of which are available as free 30-day trial versions.
SendShield
SendShield is another useful plug-in used to enhance Microsoft Outlook. This add-on is designed to provide an extra layer of security for office files that are transmitted with sensitive information.
The built-in scanner combs your Word, Excel or PowerPoint attachments for hidden meta data that could be damaging if it were transmitted over the network. SendShield runs in the background while you work and gives you a preview of all the hidden data found.
More Tips
These are just a few of the numerous Outlook add-ons you can try. There are plenty more out there but if you’re not sure of what you’re doing, always backup Outlook files before you start a-fiddling, ok?
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