HideOutlook is a small, free Outlook extension that minimizes Outlook to the system tray instead of the taskbar. It also enables right-clicking on the HideOutlook icon in the system tray to start common tasks such as creating new emails, notes, appointments, tasks, etc. For Outlook Express use HideOE, a sister extension that performs the same function.

I’ve been busy preparing for a transition of many co-workers to a Microsoft Exchange service lately. Until that migration occurs, we use a web interface and/or Thunderbird to interact with the IMAP mail server. For context, I am a big fan of Thunderbird and prefer it over other similar desktop clients. Much of my time recently has been spent figuring out Outlook instead of using Thunderbird and keeping my ear to the ground for related mail applications. That being said, I still managed to catch Postbox in the beta stage and I have to say I’m quite impressed with the modifications they’ve made over Thunderbird.

[Editor’s note: this review was written by Freewaregenius contributor Jason H. Check out his tech blog: 404techsupport.com].

Hana Outlook Folder Search (HOFS) is a free Outlook add-on designed to provide instant Outlook folder lookups as well as an in-folder email de-duplication function.

Spamihilator sits between your email client (Outlook, Thunderbird etc) and the internet and examines every incoming email in order to identify spam. It employs a Baysian “learning” filter that calculates the probability that a certain message is spam, and that gets better the more you use and ’train’ the program.

[Editor’s note: this review was written by reader Carbonize. Check out his tech blog here].

gAttach is a free program that integrates Gmail into your system as your default email service, to be used by default instead of a local client when you send email or attach files from the desktop, the browser, or any local applications. (Note: you can also use Yahoomail as your default email service using sister application yAttach).

Easy2Add for Outlook is a small app that allows you to quickly set up meetings, appointments, or events with Outlook using simple, regular English syntax. Accessed through the system tray or the Vista sidebar, this program resides in the background until you need it, without needing to open Outlook.

Xobni is a free program that adds a sidebar with a slew of organizational functions to your Outlook. Principally built around organizing your Outlook data around people (similar in many ways to the Gmail model), Xobni provides a quick way to view threaded conversations with other people, view exchanged attachment history, view contacts you might have in common with another person, perform "lightning fast" searches, view email analytics data, and other functions.

MailStore Home is a free program that can backup your email from multiple email applications/accounts and consolidate these into a single, centralized archive that it can burn into a backup CD. Also offers the ability to perform advanced searches and quickly view archived email. Supported email clients include Outlook, Windows Mail, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Exchange, as well as POP/IMAP accounts (including all webmail services that IMAP or POP support such as Gmail and Yahoo), and local files.

Note2Email is a website that allows you to send quick emails to yourself or others through a simple form. You can optionally enter in a special encryption key such that the recipient will only be able to read the email if they know it.

Rating: 5