Greetings! Welcome to Vol. 3, No. 9, of Exchange Messaging Outlook, an occasional newsletter about Microsoft Exchange, Windows Messaging and Microsoft Outlook, both for users of Windows 95/98 and NT 4.0 and for organizations using Microsoft Exchange Server.
Today's highlights:
EMALSCAN.DLL error message (McAfee)
If you receive an error message like this when you close Outlook:
OUTLOOK caused an invalid page fault in module EMALSCAN.DLL ...
then you’ve run into a very common problem related to McAfee’s virus scan software, version 4.0.2. Thanks to MVP Vince Averello and other users active in the microsoft.public.outlook* newsgroups, here’s the solution:
Microsoft Outlook98 may be set to receive email through the POP3 mail protocol which downloads mail from the internet. By default VirusScan installs the MAPI On-Demand E-mail scan in Outlook, which will not function with the POP3 mail protocol. For POP3/Internet mail, Download Scan should be used instead.
To correct this, change e-mail scanning from MAPI to Download by following these steps:
- Right click on the Vshield icon in the system tray, and choose Properties | E-mail Scan.
- Check Enable Scanning of E-mail Attachments.
- Clear the box for Microsoft Exchange (MAPI).
- Check Internet Mail, which will enable Download Scanning.
- Click Apply, then OK.
You must also disable the MAPI On-Demand E-mail Scan add-in in Outlook. Here's how:
- In Outlook 98, choose Tools | Options, then switch to the Other tab.
- Click Advanced Options, then Add-In Manager.
- Clear the box for Exchange Scan, then click OK until you return to Outlook’s main window.
Last month, I did something I’d been meaning to do for a long time -- install a free POP/proxy server on my SOHO LAN so the three of us here in my apartment can make better use of our one phone line. It took me a few downloads to find one that was easy to set up and had all the features I needed (I wound up using Proxy+ from http://www.fortech.cz). It took only about an hour to configure. I’m very pleased with the overall result and the solution it offered to a couple of issues.
As you probably know, Outlook doesn’t offer a mechanism to schedule Internet mail downloads for a particular time every day -- like just before you get into the office. My POP server solves this problem, because it does support scheduled connections. It downloads the mail to my server’s hard drive -- faster than Outlook in Corporate or Workgroup mode can do it -- where the mail awaits my initial login. When I start Outlook, the mail arrives at LAN speeds, not 28.8 kbps dialup speeds.
Furthermore, since the POP and proxy server are one application, I have it set to download mail every 15 minutes or so while I’m online, which occurs several times throughout the day. That makes it easy for me to keep up with incoming mail, without being interrupted by Outlook trying to dial out when I’m on the phone.
My next project is to finish upgrading the family computer upstairs so we can start using NetFolders to share the family calendar, all using our in-house POP server.
If you want to give this a try in your small office or home LAN, you can find a long list of free or inexpensive POP servers here: http://www.winfiles.com/apps/98/servers-mail.html. Note that you need to configure the TCP/IP network protocol on your LAN to use POP, since it's an Internet protocol.
New Outlook Users discussion list
To help you continue the discussion of what features Outlook needs, the Slipstick Systems Exchange Center is now sponsoring an e-mail list for Outlook. Subscribe either by sending a message to mailto:outlook-users-subscribe@egroups.com or by visiting http://www.slipstick.com/outlook98/opinion/outlooklist.htm.
The Slipstick Systems Exchange Center welcomes a new sponsor, NetIQ, which offers the AppManager for Microsoft Exchange Server suite of monitoring tools. For NetIQ’s perspective on how monitoring contributes to a better managed Exchange installation with fewer problems, download their free white paper from http://www.netiq.com/manageexch/.
Sponsorship from companies like NetIQ keeps the Exchange Center going and expanding, meeting the needs of thousands of visitors every week. We've begun a major site redesign aimed at making it easier for you to find information about Outlook and Exchange solutions and utilities. If your company offers products or services for Exchange or Outlook, consider showing your support by sponsoring one or more pages. For more information, write me at mailto:sponsor@slipstick.com.
New Exchange Server UPDATE newsletter
Windows NT Magazine is launching a free weekly online newsletter for the Exchange Server community. You can sign up for Exchange Server UPDATE at http://www.winntmag.com/Newsletter/Email/Exchange/Main.cfm.
You may be familiar with the printed Exchange Administrator that Windows NT Magazine puts out every month. (I write the Outlook Tips & Techniques column) But did you know they’ve also launched a Win 32 Scripting newsletter? The first issue discusses how to automate the creation of Outlook items with the Windows Scripting Host. The newsletter will cover the whole range of scripting technologies for Windows administrators. See http://www.winntmag.com/Newsletter/Scripting/Main.cfm for more details.
Changes in the Outlook/Exchange web world
Two big changes are under way at key web sites for Exchange and Outlook users and administrators. The creator of the absolutely essential msexchange mailing list, Peter Bowyer, is turning the list and its associated Microsoft Exchange Forum web site at http://www.msexchange.org over to Stephen Wynkoop, who runs an extensive BackOffice support site at http://www.swynk.com. Peter hopes to keep his hand in Exchange and contribute articles to the Swynk site.
The Outlook Developers Resource Center at http://www.outlook.useast.net has been a terrific source of code examples, resources and ideas for both aspiring and experienced Outlook developers. My fellow MVP Don Adams has turned his attention to other technologies over the past few months, but wanted the site to continue in good hands. I’m happy to report that he has succeeded in finding it an excellent home. The new Outlook Exchange Developers site at http://www.outlookexchange.com is sponsored jointly by ECMS and Micro Eye, both well known names in the world of Outlook and Exchange development.
Best of luck to both Peter and Don and many thanks for the way they've helped Exchange and Outlook grow over the past few years.
I have had some very interesting conversations lately -- both in person and via e-mail -- about the future of Outlook and Exchange development. For example, TerraLink (http://www.terralink.ru/english/default.html) provides a variety of hardware and support services to organizations here in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia. To help manage their business, they've developed a substantial collection of Outlook forms, tied to their SQL database of clients. In fact, they say it's not unusual for a client to come in for a demonstration of document management tools and walk out with dozens of ideas for Outlook forms for their own business (which TerraLink would be happy to develop for them).
So, what does this have to do with Y2K? After the crisis passes (let's think positive), many businesses will have a backlog of chores that didn't get done because Y2K preparation used the available resources. Many of these tasks will be related to improving the flow of information around the office so companies can catch up again. Outlook forms -- especially when coupled with Exchange Server and other enterprise resources -- are perfect for this. My prediction is that the release of Outlook 2000, with its support for VBA and COM add-ins, will spur a leap in development potential that will start to really catch on only after the memory of the millenium celebrations is fading away.
This presents a great opportunity to get up to speed on Outlook development. One strategy is to do as TerraLink has and "eat your own dogfood" (a phrase borrowed from the Exchange Server development group). Apply Outlook and Exchange development ideas in-house to learn what works, what doesn't and what capabilities your own company has in this area.
Another thing you can do is hang out a shingle: If you've created some interesting small applications with Outlook, throw them up on your web page as freebies to show what you can do. They can be your calling card for organizations looking for development resources. You may ask whether it wouldn't be better to try to sell them. You're welcome to try, but I offer this lesson: Everybody knows that Outlook/Exchange don't provide a centralized group calendar. If you look at http://www.slipstick.com/exchange/outlhow4.htm#scheduleall, you'll find a dozen or so ways to address this lack. One or two carry largish price tags, but the latest additions are all freeware or shareware. It's more than likely that, for any general problem you want to solve with Outlook, someone is thinking of the same thing and is happy to give it away. The real business opportunity in Outlook/Exchange development, I believe, is in custom applications tailored to the specific needs of individual firms or industries. Because so much of the communications layer is already present in Outlook+Exchange, this kind of custom development doesn't have to be expensive.
Let me know what you think on the future of Outlook/Exchange development as a business opportunity. You can e-mail me at mailto:sue@slipstick.com.
New and updated utilities
Personal Receptionist
Voice telephony software that allows you to listen and reply to Outlook 98 messages over the phone. Many other general telephony features and VBScript for customization. Does not work with Outlook 97 and has been tested only with Outlook 98 in CW mode.
http://www.sunny-beach.net/Act! to Outlook Converter
VBScript to import contact notes, as well as contacts. Read the requirements carefully.
http://www.macgyver.org/software/act-outlook.htmlLapLink Enterprise Exchange Accelerator
Client/server add-on to speed remote access to Exchange Server mailboxes through compression, filtering and faster logon to the Exchange Server. Starter pack for one server/10 clients available free until March 1, 1999.
http://www.laplink.com/products/ea/ea.aspNSOutlook (ver 1.4)
Gives better support for the Send Page command to this tool to make Netscape use Outlook as its default mail program.
http://www.macgyver.org/software/nsoutlook.html
For more information
ISSN 1523-7990
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