Outlook mail notification

[dsdjnpfvf]

Hi,

I've seen around the web pictures of the Outlook icon in the system tray, running so that you are notified of any incoming mail. Is this feature only possible when you connect to an Exchange server? I've never used Exchange.

Also, when you have an exchange server on your network, are you notified immediately about any new e-mail? This is apposed to when you use a POP3 account and you have to poll every few minutes for new mail.

If all this is true then I think I'll consider upgrading to Exchange. I've looked on the Microsoft site for information, but it tends to be a lot of inspiring babble and not much actual hard information and details.

Any other great Exchange features I should know about would be good too.

Any help much appreciated,

Daniel Briley

 

[zbnet]

Exchange server is a corporate mail server solution, much more than a replacement for a POP3 account with an ISP. What are you needs? Exchange has much more to offer like public folders and shared calendars, but it needs managing and isn't exactly a simple solution.

 

[dsdjnpfvf]

Hi zbnet,

Thanks for your response. I'm basically looking for an e-mail system which is easy for my network users to use and does not require any polling as a remote pop3 server would do, which is also un-reliable.

At first I thought about installing an in-house FreeBSD mail server, but then when it was decided we would make the move to Small Business Server 2003, which includes Exchange, so I thought I'd investigate it.

Obviously because Outlook is the approved client application for Exchange I assumed it would provide me with a lot of extra features over a POP3/Exim and Outlook setup.

Also, the sort of live connection to the mail server with instant new mail notification was a big bonus.

Since we're going to be purchasing Exchange with SBS 2003 soon, cost is not an issue. I'm not really after any of Exchange's organisation and collaboration features for the moment, just the mail services.

Thanks again,

Daniel

 

[IFRs]

In Outlook, go to Tools / Options / Mail Options / Advanced Options and choose the notificaiton you want.

If you have Outlook 2003, you can set it to minimize to the toolbar.