Outlook 2010...switch to other email client?

MisterActorMan · 02 Mar 2010

Hey all

I just happily installed Win7 on my desktop and laptop. Included with that is Office 2010 Beta, which I want to use at least until October, when the trial expires.

I've decided to try and give all the stock MS programs a shot. I've become very irked by the fact that about six different companies offering two different suites with ten different programs in each suite, none of which compat well together, are what I get to sift through until I find my pick. I've currently been running Google Chrome and using GMail. Chrome is really nice, once I got used to the minimal interface. GMail, too, has long been a favorite of mine. However, I have Office and want to full utilize what I see as a great productivity suite, especially compared to Google's online suites, which seems to be still in the shaky ground of beta and new releases.

My issue is this: I've tried importing my GMail into Outlook, but there are a lot of discrepancies. Filters, for one, don't transfer from GMail into Outlook. I have like thirty messages in my inbox that should be in my school box. And I think trying to sync everything up would be a pain in the ass and need constant adjustment, especially since it's already been finnicky in the first day's use.

Is there some awesome way to get Outlook to recognize all my GMail settings? Or should I switch email clients (Which I'm fine to do. I just got a new phone, essentially a new laptop and desktop, and I'm moving, so why not go whole hog and change all my email stuff, too; I've used GMail for about two years and I'm comfortable with it--but that's not necessarily good, and I could always switch back to GMail if I hate Outlook).

Now I know this seems almost strange, switching BACK to IE and Office from Google...but I'd like to try it.

My goal is to have a consolidated, easily synchronized, inclusive, compatible series of programs for my daily communications. Maybe in a few years I'll be using Android or something, but for now I want to keep everything as in-house Microsoft as possible. Is IE really that terrible?

If I get an email for use with Outlook, what client do I use? Not hotmail, I won't regress that far. Is there an @outlook client or something?

Also, since I have Office, I'd prefer not to install redundant/bloat software, such as Windows Live. It offers nothing I don't already have / is designed as a free alternative to Office.

Thanks

Barman58 · 02 Mar 2010

The best way of synchronising gmail and outlook is by the use of IMAP rather than POP3 access.

What this does is any actions performed at one location is duplicated in the other so if you have a rule operating in gmail the result is automatically reflected in Outlook and vice versa and the folder structure is also synchronised.

I actually find that gmails support for IMAP is not the best, (using tags rather than actual folders), but it does work.

A better Service for outlook/imap use is in my opinion Free Webmail and E-Mail by GMX | Sign Up Now!, which also looks more like outlook in use. you may want to have a look at this free service and as it has a mail collector, for your existing gmail account, can ease the transition

MisterActorMan · 02 Mar 2010

Thanks. As long as it's a recognizable, safe, logically-oriented client, I think I'll give it a go.

Any thoughts on IE? I think that I'm so used to the ease-of-use with Chrome that I'll go back to that pretty soon....the smaller memory footprint alone, not to mention aesthetic appeal, really does make IE feel way awk. to use at this point. Plus all the MSN-leaning bundled stuff when I don't use it is distracting...

Chrome (and GMX!) here I go..!

MisterActorMan · 02 Mar 2010

And for anyone interested, I, and I bet a whole lot others, will be SO HAPPY when a clean, highly compatible, user-friendly and all-inclusive free program is implemented...by Google, Windows, anyone.