Exchange Messaging Outlook
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Greetings! Welcome to Vol. 11, No. 5, of Exchange Messaging Outlook, a biweekly newsletter about Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Outlook. Outlook 2007 Beta 2 Special Edition
Today's highlights:
Regular features:
Office 2007 Beta2 Public ReleaseIf you are interested in trying Office 2007, it's now available for
anyone to download. All you need is a passport account and a machine
to install it on.
We do not recommend installing it on a 'production' machine at this time and if you choose to do so, use Ghost or True Image to copy your hard disk should you need to reformat. It's better to install it on a test computer or in a virtual machine - either Virtual PC from Microsoft or VMWare's workstation. Both have free trials available. Important note: While Office 2007 is very stable, if you are unwilling or unable to deal with buggy software, do not install it. If you rely on Office for your work, do not install it. Based on problems seen in the public newsgroups, many people are not heeding the warning not to install it on their main machine. This can lead to problems down the road, especially if they choose not to upgrade when the beta expires in February. If you require features or add-ins used in Outlook 2003, do not install the beta as the features or add-ins may not work. This includes third party connectors for MSN Outlook Live and other mail servers. Along with Office 2007 applications, you can also download the Office server applications, including SharePoint server so you can see for yourself if SharePoint will replace some of the features found in Exchange. Note that Exchange 2007 is not part of the office server family and is not available yet. If you don't have spare computers to install these on, you can use the virtual server software from Microsoft or VMWare. Is Outlook 2007 stable enough to use? Yes, most of the things that caused Beta 1 to crash are now fixed. That's not to say it won't crash or cause problems, but it is stable enough to use every day. System requirements for Office System 2007 http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/beta/sysreq.mspx Download Office System 2007 applications http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/default.mspx Problems and bugs with Outlook should be posted to the Outlook General newsgroup at msnews.microsoft.com, or using the Office Online Communities at http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.outlook.general&lang=en&cr=US Virtual PC http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/virtualpc/default.mspx VPC Server http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/default.mspx VMware http://www.vmware.com/ Instant Search ProblemsFirst and foremost, Office 2007 is still very much a beta. This
release is certainly much improved over the beta 1 releases, but
it's still a beta and you will run into problems. Always keep this
in mind should you decide to install it. I can't emphasis this
enough: if you are unwilling or unable to deal with buggy software,
do not install it.
At this stage, we are aware of several problems. One of the most noticeable is with Instant Search in Outlook and OneNote. Instant Search requires the Windows Desktop Search (WDS) version 3 beta. Yes, that's right, you need to install another beta to use Instant Search. If you use WDS v2, it will be removed when you install WDS v3 and since it's still a work in progress, the UI is missing, assuming it will even install for you. If you receive the dreading "access denied" error, you'll need to muck around in the registry to fix the problem. The instructions should be published to the following KB article, Error message when you try to install Windows Desktop Search 3.0 Beta Engine Preview: "Access is denied" in the near future. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=919163 Description of Windows Desktop Search 3.0 Beta Engine Preview http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917013 Windows Desktop Search beta download http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=36e38453-6e20-4cf7-8bfc-1cac7f35da49&displaylang=en If you choose not to install WDS v3 beta, you'll see a yellow warning at the top of your message list, along with a warning every time you open Outlook or OneNote, that you need WDS installed. You can disable this prompt using Outlook's Tools, Options, Other, Advance Options dialog box if WDS is not installed. If the checkbox is missing from the dialog you can edit the registry to disable it. The registry key is: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Search DWORD: DisableSearchDownloadPrompt Values: 1 = The WDS installation prompt and yellow bar are not displayed 0 (or missing DWORD) The WDS installation prompt is displayed You may need to restart Outlook to remove the yellow bar from the view. As one of those who have the installer error, I disabled the prompt rather than edit the registry to change the permissions. The time I save with the instant search won't make up for the time needed to enable it. I'll wait for an updated version of WDS that works. What the Release Notes Didn't Say:For best results, don't install Office 2007 over an existing
installation of any version of Office. Uninstall Office and reboot,
then install Office 2007. You'll have fewer problems. Say it Ain't So: Exchange 5.5 "Unsupported" Means "Will Not work"In a departure from past versions of Outlook and Exchange, where
unsupported meant Microsoft would not assist you if you used them
together and something didn't work but the products remained usable,
Outlook 2007 Beta 2 will not work with Exchange 5.5. While there is
the potential for many things to go wrong if you are using Outlook
2007 and Exchange 5.5, there is no reason to disable connectivity. Outlook 2007 FAQWill it install it on Windows 2000?
No, Windows XP SP2 is required. Type winver in the Start menu, Run box to see what version you are using. Will it install on Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2? Well, it has an XP and Sp2 in the OS name: (Yes, someone really asked that question after reading it wouldn't install on Windows 2000.) Where is the Add-ins dialog? All security related options were moved to the Trust Center (on the Tools menu), including Read as plain text, Add-ins, Digital signatures, and blocked download content settings. I don't want Word as my editor. How do I disable it? There is only one email editor now and it's Word. How do I send email from Word? The "Office envelope" feature which allowed you to compose a document then click a button to show the email header fields and send the document in the body of an email message was removed from the toolbars but the command still exists. Look for it in Word or Excel's Tools, Customize and add it to their Quick Access toolbar. How can I change Outlook's colors? From the Office icon in the upper left corner of Word (replacing the File menu), choose Word Options, Personalize and switch color schemes. At this time there are only two colors to choose from - Windows XP blue and Vista slate gray. Help! RSS feeds are in my Unread search folder. If you don't want RSS feeds in the Unread search folder, make a custom search folder and choose only the folders you want to search. Why doesn't Outlook have the ribbon interface? The main Outlook interface doesn't have the ribbon because it's so complex and they apparently didn't have enough time. The forms do use the ribbon, in part because they are built on Word. For a better explanation, read Jenson's blog about it: http://blogs.msdn.com/jensenh/archive/2006/01/18/514300.aspx Where do I set up RSS feeds? All settings for all "accounts", including RSS feeds and Internet Calendars are in Tools, Account Settings. How do I move the RSS folder from my Exchange mailbox to a pst? You can relocate the folder RSS feeds go into, but need to do it one at a time as you create the RSS feed. See the Tools, Accounts, RSS tab. How do I set up newsgroups in Outlook 2007? Open Outlook Express. Does the beta expire? Yes, but not until February 2007. Additional FAQs and tips on using Outlook 2007 will be at http://www.slipstick.com/ol2007/ and http://www.outlook-tips.net/archives |
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New Utilities |
GALSYNC |
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Updated Utilities |
AUTO PRINT http://www.sperrysoftware.com/Outlook/Auto-Print.asp Auto Print allows you to automatically print email and/or attachments, has been upgraded to allow you to print everything in one or more Outlook folders according to the built-in filters. It also now supports printing in order (i.e., first email, then those attachments, second email, then those attachments, etc.), unlike when you use Outlook's native printing capability. Finally, it has been fixed to handle shared mailboxes while in Exchange cached mode. For Outlook 2000 and up. DELETE DUPLICATES FOR OUTLOOK http://brana.bujenovic.ns.users.sbb.co.yu/software.htm Delete Duplicates for Outlook is a tool for deleting duplicate e-mails for Microsoft Outlook. INSIGHT CONNECTOR http://www.bynari.net/index.php?id=7 Insight Connector is a Microsoft Outlook plug-in that allows native Outlook groupware capabilities without the need for an Exchange server. With Insight Connector installed, together with either the Bynari Insight Server, Cyrus IMAP or Courier IMAP, Outlook users can perform tasks typically available only when using the Exchange server. Some of the features include resource management, public folders sharing, appointments/tasks scheduling, voting, grouping, calendar sharing, multiple accounts under one profile and other collaborative tasks. Free trial available. Version 3.1. LUCATEC MASK http://www.lucatec.net/mask/maskoverview-en.htm The Lucatec Mask Add-in for Outlook is used with Exchange server accounts which allows you to reply from a shared mailbox or public folder, automatically entering the folder or mailbox's email address in the From field. Lucatec Mask will automatically determine the correct sender address to use based on the mailbox or public folder the user is currently using in Outlook. The newest version includes many new features, such as Recursive Folder Options, per-folder Signatures and improved Reply handling. It supports shared Exchange Server mailbox accounts and Public Folders with email addresses and was tested with Exchange Server 5.5 and 2000, Microsoft Outlook 2000 and XP. Version 2. PC IMAIL http://www.prosoftapps.com/pcimail.htm Bulk mail tool to send an individual message to multiple recipients. Addresses can come from any address list and may include distribution lists. Has the ability to set time delay periods between messages to comply with Internet Service Provider limitations on group mailings and supports automatic unsubscribe and remove request processing, and email extraction features to aid in the creation of targeted mailing lists for newsletters, support groups, and press releases. |
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Other Resources |
COLLABORATION DATA OBJECTS, VERSION 1.2.1 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2714320d-c997-4de1-986f-24f081725d36&displaylang=en Web download of CDO 1.21. This is a package providing access to Outlook-compatible objects through a COM-based API. Using CDO, a program can connect to a MAPI store, and then perform operations against that store, including creating and processing calendar items, and resolving and handling mail recipients. Starting with Exchange 2007 and Outlook 2007, Microsoft will distribute CDO 1.2.1 as a Web download, separated from the two products. DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS USING THE CONSOLIDATED OUTLOOK 2007 OBJECT MODEL http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdntv/episode.aspx?xml=episodes/en/20060511OutlookRB/manifest.xml MSDN TV featuring Outlook Program Managers Randy Byrne and Ryan Gregg talking about the new platform features in Microsoft Office Outlook 2007. They give an overview of the unification, security, performance, and forms improvements in this release. Includes a code demo of three sample add-ins. 33 minutes. OFFICE 2007 BETA 2 PUBLIC RELEASE http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/default.mspx The beta 2 release of Office System 2007 is available from the Office preview site. Included in the programs you can download are all of the Office desktop applications and the Office servers - including SharePoint server. Exchange 2007 is not part of the Officer server family and it's beta 2 is not yet available. A passport is required to download the Office beta programs. |
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New Exchange Knowledge Base Articles |
The last instance of the series is not seen when you create a
recurring appointment in Outlook Web Access http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=915872 How to use the Remonitor tool to clear the cache for the routing engine in an Exchange Server 2003 organization or in an Exchange 2000 Server organization http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=914255 The MasSync service stops responding when a user tries to manually synchronize a Windows Mobile device with a Windows 2000-based computer that is running Exchange Server 2003 SP2 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917875 How to use the Remonitor tool to clear the cache for the routing engine in an Exchange Server 2003 organization or in an Exchange 2000 Server organization http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=914255 The published Free/Busy information for a mailbox is displayed for the default period of two months after you have configured a longer period in Outlook http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917687 Event ID 1000 is logged when you configure Kerberos authentication between front-end and back-end servers that are running Exchange Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=909094 Availability of the Microsoft Application Analyzer 2006 for Lotus Domino tool http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=919028 The Exchange version of the MAPI store provider does not support Kerberos authentication http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918710 The Exchange version of the MAPI store provider does not support Kerberos authentication http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918710 MS06-019: Vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server could allow remote code execution http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=916803 Direct Push does not work in Exchange Server 2003 SP2 after you create a secondary virtual directory http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=916640 Mailbox rule synchronization may be delayed when you move mailboxes from a server that is running Exchange 2000 Server to a server that is running Exchange Server 2003 SP2 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=916694 Information about CDO patching and third-party programs that interface with the calendar in Exchange Server and in Outlook http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917481 The IIS Admin Service (Inetinfo.exe) crashes and mail builds up in the SMTP queue on a computer that is running Exchange Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=910618 Users sometimes cannot see attachments that have the .p7m extension in Outlook http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=913966 The body of an e-mail message is garbled when the message is viewed in Outlook in an Exchange Server 2003 organization http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=916299 Information about CDO patching and third-party programs that interface with the calendar in Exchange Server and in Outlook http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917481 The Exchange version of the MAPI store provider does not support Kerberos authentication http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918710 MS06-019: Vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server could allow remote code execution http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=916803 |
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New Outlook Knowledge Base Articles |
Error message when you try to perform a mail merge in Outlook 2003
and in Outlook 2002: "The required file schdmapi.dll could not be
loaded" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918307 Description of the Outlook 2003 Junk E-Mail filter update: May, 2006 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=916521 Information about CDO patching and third-party programs that interface with the calendar in Exchange Server and in Outlook http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917481 Description of the Outlook 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package: May 8, 2006 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917349 Specific printer settings may be lost after you print to a different printer in Outlook 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918422 An e-mail message may not be delivered at the scheduled time when you enable the "Do not deliver before" option in an Outlook 2003 message http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918824 Description of the Outlook 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package: May 6, 2006 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917338 Error message when you try to open or to save a Microsoft Office 2007 file: "Do you want to download a compatibility pack so that you can work with this file" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=919026 A file does not open in the program that you expect when you try to open the file in Office http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=918957 Description of the update for Office 2003: May 19, 2006 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=910473 |
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More Information |
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