chris ullrich

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 16:55:25 -0800

Hi Andrew, Thanks for all the info. Appreciated. Unfortunately, the question asked wasn't about "get a PC and run Outlook" for Exchange compatibility. The question was about connecting to an Exchange server with a Mac at work -- if necessary. Sure, Outlook on Windows gives you the best possible integration with Exchange but again, this person wanted to use a Mac, so running Outlook is not an option (unless they have an Intel Mac and want to run Outlook in Boot Camp or with Parallels -- but that's another story). If they want to be Mac OSX only, at the moment Entourage is the best choice and will give the highest level of functionality -- better in many ways than Outlook Web Access I think. Entourage may not be the "best tool for the job" but on the Mac, at the moment, it is the best.

Andrew Solmssen

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 14:58:36 -0800

Hi - a note from the PCist here, on the topic of Mac-Exchange compatibility. I consider myself a true platform agnostic - I have and use both Mac OS and Windows computers, and I enjoy both very much. However, I really feel that there are a couple of areas where one shines much more brightly than the other, and if your needs take in one of those directions, it pays to make your choice there and let the other stuff fall in line. So if you are planning to use your machine to talk to an Exchange server, and it's more than just a casual thing, but really a part of your business day all day every day, get a PC and run Outlook. As much as Microsoft tries to make Entourage work with Exchange servers, it's simply not the best tool for the job. Only Outlook supports the full range of interactions with Exchange. Entourage is using the DAV interface similar to the one used by Exchange's "Outlook Web Access" rather than the MAPI interface used by Outlook and as such, you lose significant functionality with Entourage. There will be certain features and options you will be unable to access, and if you or your business depend on these, there will be problems. There's valuable info here: http://www.entourage.mvps.org/exchange/index.html and here: http://www.macwindows.com/entourage.html Also, if you're using Entourage 2004, be sure and talk to your IT people before upgrading to 11.2.5 - there's a nasty bug that can wipe out your mailbox if the server doesn't have the latest patches. More info here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/909574/en-us I'm trying to avoid a Mac-PC fanboi flameware here, I'd say the exact opposite if you're editing video day in, day out - this is an area in which the Mac is hands down the best tool for the job, so go get one. But if your job depends on being able to use an Exchange server fully, think long and hard before choosing a Mac and Entourage - there are real compromises in functionality and reliability.

LAist: Ask the MACist

chris ullrich

Andrew Solmssen