Microsoft Outlook integrates personal information management tools with an email client, which is a handy way of tackling a number of daily personal and business tasks at once.

Outlook's interface is straightforward and easy to use, with a dual-pane format that is similar to Windows Explorer. The bottom portion of the left-hand navigation pane has four tabs, one for each of Outlook's four main functions (Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks). When you click on a function, the top portion of the left pane changes to display features of that function. For example, when you click Mail, the top portion of the left pane displays your mailboxes. When you click Calendar, it changes to a miniature view of the current month.

The right pane also changes depending on the function you choose. The default view in the Calendar displays an hourly breakdown of the current day. You can also view your calendar by week, workweek (Monday-Friday), or month. You can enter detailed notes about a calendar entry, set a reminder, and link it to a contact, if appropriate. You can also set up a daily or weekly schedule, so you can see your busy, free, out of office, or currently unscheduled time at a glance. If you use Outlook at work, you can share calendars, and view multiple calendars, to compare your schedule with the schedules of your colleagues.

The Contacts feature offers the usual slots for information, including name, address, telephone, fax, email address, company, and category. You can flag a contact for a follow-up meeting or contact.

The Tasks feature lets you make your to do list as simple or as complicated as you like. Assuming you've entered the appropriate information, you can use the left pane to view or sort your tasks by simple list, detailed list, active tasks, overdue tasks, tasks due within the next seven days, by category, by assignment, by person responsible, by timeline, or completed tasks.

Pro: Easy to use. Combines two major functions (email and information management) in a single integrated application.
Con: Microsoft's activation feature limits some features until you register Office 2003 (over the internet or by telephone). If you use Office 50 times without activating it, many more features will be disabled.