# Help me choose address book software

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-address-book-software/136869>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [November 15, 2002, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-address-book-software/136869 "2002-11-15T14:08:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-address-book-software/136869/1 "2002-11-15T14:08:19Z")

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For the past several years I have been keeping all my addresses, telephone numbers, E-mail addresses, etc. in Microsoft Contacts. Unfortunately, my company recently eliminated that software from our computers (I guess they didn’t want to renew the license or something) and now I am again left with reams and reams of printouts of addresses and telephone numbers. As I am a journalist, I am constantly collecting contact information and things are quickly getting out of hand.

I want to start using a new address book programme that I can use both on my Windows machine at work and on my Macs at home. I have grown very fond of the layout and features of Microsoft Contacts, so I was wondering what recommendations there might be out there. I prefer freeware or shareware, but I am willing to pay (probably up to $50 or so) for something that is really good.

Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![Stccrd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Stccrd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stccrd)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-address-book-software/136869/2 "2002-11-15T14:13:53Z")

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Have you used Microsoft Outlook? I find that it has all sorts of ways to store data easily. It is good for calendar, address/phone/email, etc. It is yet another Microsoft product, so who knows.

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**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-address-book-software/136869/3 "2002-11-16T12:45:45Z")

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I don’t think I can get Microsoft Outlook for Mac unless I get the whole Office package. That’s a bit steep for me.

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**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-address-book-software/136869/4 "2002-11-17T04:39:27Z")

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Try the Palm Desktop software. Sure, it’s geared towards Palm Pilot products, but it can be used for general address book and datebook functions.

Best part, it’s free and Mac versions are available.

[Windoze Version](http://www.palm.com/support/downloads/palmdt_4_faq.html)

[Mac Version](http://www.palm.com/support/macintosh/)

Just disregard the features you don’t need and it should work just fine for you.