# How bad is Outlook
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-outlook/234256
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [March 14, 2004, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-outlook/234256 "2004-03-14T18:56:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@GawnFishin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawnFishin)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2004, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-outlook/234256/1 "2004-03-14T18:56:41Z")
I’m asking for opinions as to email clients is Outlook(all versions) worth the trouble compared to other clinet software available. What would you recommend? I personally prefer Eudora however I have a friend who is wondering and would like other opinions.
Just curious!
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### Author:  [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2004, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-outlook/234256/2 "2004-03-15T06:55:46Z")
If you are just using Outlook for e-mail, I have to say there are better alternatives there. Specifically, other e-mail clients are more secure.
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### Author:  [@Necro\_Romancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necro_Romancer)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2004, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-outlook/234256/3 "2004-03-15T07:38:32Z")
I use the english version of [Foxmail](http://fox.foxmail.com.cn/english.htm). I’ve used Eudora, Outlook, Firebird, etc., and this is my favorite. It does everything you’d need the others to, and it’s resource use is minimal.
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-outlook/234256/4 "2004-03-15T13:34:51Z")
Outlook or Outlook Express? I use Outlook at work, and it’s quite good, mostly because it’s an integrated calendar/address book/memo book/e-mail. The security issues are mere parroting – there used to be problems, but if you keep your patches up to day, it’s not an issue (I’ve noticed that when Microsoft has a security issue, people tend to harp on it for years after it’s been fixed).
Outlook Express is the equal of Eudora (which I use) in most cases.
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### Author:  [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-outlook/234256/5 "2004-03-17T06:38:34Z")
I disagree. All the viruses vectoring through Outlook and Outlook Express are a symptom of overall insecurity of MS software.
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### Author:  [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-outlook/234256/6 "2004-03-17T06:45:13Z")
> [@Urban Ranger](#):
>
> I disagree. All the viruses vectoring through Outlook and Outlook Express are a symptom of overall insecurity of MS software.
You are aware that Outlook has security settings on how to handle attachments, no? So it’s less a core issue with Outlook than with user education on proper virus-handling procedures.
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### Author:  [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-outlook/234256/7 "2004-03-17T07:00:26Z")
With a good anti-virus program and a little common sense, it makes little difference which client you use.
Outlook is overkill for purely email purposes. Outlook Express is an easy to use but very basic email client. I guess it all comes down to your usage.