 Unfortunately, with their new mail programs, Microsoft continues its usual poor job of naming products. If I didn't know better, I would think that Microsoft was actually trying to confuse everyone. But whether it is by design or not, the names of the Microsoft mail programs are ultimately confusing.
First, we just talked about Outlook Express which is the program that comes with Windows XP and all previous versions of Windows. This is not to be confused with Outlook, which is the name of Microsoft's high end email program. Outlook is not free. It has not been abandoned like Outlook Express. The current version of Outlook is Outlook 2007 and there is sure to be another version soon.
Then there is a Microsoft email program that is simply called Mail. Mail is the free program that comes with Microsoft Vista. This program is similar to, but not the same as the Windows Live Mail program that replaces Outlook Express. As far as I know, you can only get Mail if you install Vista.
Then, to add to the confusion, Microsoft has an online mail program. The previous version was called MSN Hotmail. The new version is called Windows Live Hotmail. This is Microsoft's free web-based email program. There is nothing to install on your computer. You simply sign up for the service. All of your mail is kept on the Web.
I am always happy to see that there are many options, especially when many of these programs are free. However, the naming conventions of these email programs makes the choice more confusing than it needs to be. So here is a simple little list that hopefully will explain the Microsoft email programs:
Outlook Express: Comes with Windows XP. Created for light use. Resides on your hard drive. Although millions of people are currently using Outlook Express, Microsoft considers it obsolete.
Outlook: The high-end email program created for business and heavy email use. It is a fairly pricey program that has a built-in calendar and other functionality. Outlook resides on the hard drive.
Mail: Comes only with the Microsoft Vista operating system. The interface and functions are similar to Outlook Express. Mail resides on the hard drive.
Live Mail (also called Windows Live Mail): A completely redesigned mail program. This resides on the hard drive. It can replace Outlook Express or be added to any computer running Window XP, Windows Vista, or the new Windows 7. Live Mail is a free program. It has a calendar and some additional functionality not found in Outlook Express. It resides on the hard drive, but is highly integrated with the Web. For instance, your Live Mail Calendar will automatically sync with your online Live Calendar and can also sync with calendars of friends and family. This is done entirely over the Internet.
Live Hotmail (also called Windows Live Hotmail): Microsoft's free online email program which replaced MS Hotmail. This program and your mail is stored on the Web. Nothing is kept on your hard drive. The biggest advantage is that you can access your email from any Internet connected computer. The biggest disadvantage is that you have to be online to access your email.
Well, I hope I helped in explaining the Microsoft email programs to you. Now if we could only get Microsoft to give each of its programs a name that would uniquely identify each program. Then I wouldn't have to work so hard to try to explain it all!
|
