Customer Reviews

The Unofficial Guide to Outlook 2007 (Unofficial Guides)

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This text really is perfection, on so many levels. First, it's truly readable, from cover to cover: it's laid out well, and the text is presented in plain English, with explanations when tech terms can't be avoided. Second, unlike most books on the subject, you can tell that this one was written by an Outlokk user who's lived in the trenches, and is therefore quite familiar with the gotcha's lurking for the unwary. Makes sense, since Marc had been blogging about Outlook for years, simply as a hobby, prior to joining MS network of blogs. Third, while other texts present only a drive-by reference to add-ins, Marc not only informs as to the ones he's found most useful, he thoroughly explains the why. If you have Vista, he also tells you which add-ins were Vista-friendly at the time the book went to press, versus those which may be updated by the time you have the book in your hands. These are scattered throughout the text, appearing where most logical in the overall discussion. Fourth, Marc seems to be alone in taking concentrated time to explain the automation/transformation features of OL2007--- yes, most of us know we can drag and drop an email to the task bar to create a task. But, only Marc explains the different methods, and benefits of one method over another, in a friendly fashion I can quickly absorb/comprehend. Finally, when the day comes that you have a precise question about how to do something in OL2007, a quick flip through the back index will likely bring immediate relief.

In short, Marc's book remains, in my humble opinion, the best of the lot, simply because it tells me what I NEED to know, from a practical day-to-day basis of OL2007 usage, AND points me in the direction of good-to-know info, such as profoundly helpful and STABLE add-ins destined to make OL life soooo much more enjoyable.

Tip: Do yourself a huge favor: consider making two purchases, this text plus Michael Linenberger's "Total Workday Control Using Microsoft Outlook: The Eight Best Practices of Task and E-Mail Management". The latter, focusing on productivity, was written prior to Outlook 2007, but the author has updated the most critical chapter (set-up) on his website. Those details are provided in my review of Michael's book here at Amazon. (30 reviews, each 5 stars-- well earned!) Keep in mind: Amazon has a generous return policy. But, you'll likely reach my same conclusion: these two babies are the cream of the crop, without question, thus making them both sho 'nuff keepers!

I got this book specifically to learn how to get the most out of the Tasks area of Outlook 2007.
While Calendar, Contacts and e-mail each are covered by their own chapter, not only is there no chapter for Tasks, but Tasks is not even listed in the index.
Had I been aware of this glaring omossion I never would have bothered with this book.