System information

Personal Digital Assistants
PDAs have moved from being special devices used by only a few people to becoming
mass-market devices in only a few years. PDAs are pocket-sized devices that provide
mobile access to e-mail, contacts, calendars, and other data and can be used to syn-
chronize data in the PDA with data in Outlook.
Many PDA devices are available, such as Palm devices, Pocket PCs, Tablet PCs, and
Blackberries. These devices come in many different price ranges and with different
types of features. Some PDAs have color screens and small or detachable keyboards,
and other devices provide for pen or pointer input. All of them provide a way to
keep in touch with your Outlook data when you are away from your computer.
There are almost as many different synchronization applications available as there
are PDAs. These applications vary in features from basic programs that only syn-
chronize your Outlook Inbox, contacts, and calendar with a PDA to advanced pro-
grams that can not only synchronize user-defined Outlook folders but also
synchronize Exchange public folders to a PDA.
Most PDAs have software for synchronizing with Outlook, and some come with a
pocket version of Outlook that displays your data in the PDA in the familiar
Outlook interface. If the software that came with your PDA doesn’t have the features
you need, you can purchase other synchronization software that will work with your
PDA and provide additional features.
Check your PDA manufacturer’s Web site for updated synchronization software and
lists of other synchronization software that is compatible with your PDA. Web sites
such as the Office Marketplace on Microsoft’s Office Online Web site and Slipstick’s
list of synchronization software at
http://www.slipstick.com/addins/olpda.htm also list
synchronization software for PDAs.
Outlook Add-Ins
Outlook add-ins are software used to add new functions or enhance existing func-
tions in Outlook. Add-ins are developed by a wide range of developers, including
Microsoft. Many add-ins add new pages to the Tools, Options dialog or to the folder
Properties dialog that are used to configure the add-in. They also can add new
menus and toolbars or submenu items to Outlook.
The many add-ins for Outlook add new or enhanced features such as the following:
■ Automatic compression of attachments in Zip files
■ Templates for responding to e-mail with predefined response forms
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ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MICROSOFT OFFICE OUTLOOK 2003
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