Outlook for Ubuntu

Microsoft Outlook is a software system for personal information manager from Microsoft, which existed as a component of the Microsoft Office Suite. Also, Outlook contains functions such as web browsing, journal logging, note-taking, contact managing, task managing, and calendering though it is mainly an email client.

Individuals can utilize Outlook as a standalone software; organizations can use it as a multi-user application (through Microsoft SharePoint and Exchange Server) for many shared functions such as appointment scheduling, folders, calendars, mailboxes, and data aggregation (like SharePoint lists). Microsoft has published applications for most platforms of mobile including Android and iOS.

The devices of Windows Phone can synchronize most Outlook data to Outlook Mobile. Also, developers can create their custom software with the help of the Microsoft Visual Studio which operates with Office and Outlook components.

Microsoft published the launch of the new features series for appealing to the customers of business of its Teams platform in March 2020.

Now, the collaboration and chat module contains more integrated and efficient waypoints, created for simplifying group work for enterprises and encouraging enterprises to accept the Microsoft environment to become the go-to enterprise chat platform.

Features of Microsoft Outlook

Some basic Outlook features include email search, email service, color coding, and flagging, along with many options for preview pane. The calendar function allows scheduling, communicating, and viewing meetings and appointments. Outlook offers the feature of setting automatic replies and 99 archiving data gigabytes.

Some other features are listed and explained below:

1. Calendar sharing: Outlook users can share their calendars to view their colleague's availability during scheduling meetings.
2. Email scheduling: Outlook users can compose emails early and send them whenever they want.
3. @mention: Outlook will add the user to the email list, highlight that user's mention, and send a notification to that user if that user will type @ and the name of another user.
4. Alerts of new items: Incoming messages cover the display of the user, notifying them about new emails.
5. Quick Parts: It permits users copying one email text and embed it into future messages. This aspect is helpful for users who need to send the same email to several users.
6. File attachment reminder: Outlook will prompt the users if they want to add an attachment before going to send the message if they mention an attachment within an email but think no more of attaching it.
7. Ignore messages: In a conversation, every message can be fixed to bypass the inbox of the user and go to the removed items folder.
8. Automatic update calendar: Automatically, Outlook will add car rental, hotel, and flight reservations to our calendar.
9. Clean-up conversation option: The users of Outlook can press a button to remove read messages, leaving unread messages only.
10. Keyboard shortcuts: A few key combos are available, which are as follows:
    1. Mail (CTRL+1)
    2. Calendar (CTRL+2)
    3. Contacts (CTRL+3)
    4. Make new appointments (CTRL+SHIFT+A)
    5. Respond to a message (CTRL+R)
    6. Send message (ALT+S)

Outlook add-ins

For the Microsoft Outlook software, these are additional small programs, mainly purposed to specify new functional aspects of Outlook and several routine operation automation. Also, the term is used for programs in which the primary function is to implement Outlook files, including backup and synchronization utilities.

• Outlook SalesforceIQ Inbox

Salesforce introduced its relationship intelligence environment, i.e., SalesforceIQ, which can incorporate with Outlook seamlessly in March 2016. SalesforceIQ operates from within the Outlook inbox, giving data from email, CRM, and user social profiles. Also, it offers suggestions inside the inbox on several aspects, such as responses, contacts, appointment scheduling, etc.

• Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector

Hotmail Connector is a defunct free and discontinued add-in for Outlook 2010, 2007, and 2003, intended to incorporate Outlook.com into Microsoft Outlook. It utilizes DeltaSync, which is a proprietary communication protocol of Microsoft that was generally utilized by Hotmail.

• Outlook Social Connector

Social Connector was a no-cost add-in for Outlook 2007 and 2003 by Microsoft that permitted social network integration, including Windows Live Messenger, LinkedIn, and Facebook, into Microsoft Outlook. First, it was introduced on 18 November 2009. Outlook Social Connector is an intrinsic element of Outlook, beginning with Microsoft Office 2010.

• CalDAV and CardDAV Connector

Since Outlook doesn't support CalDAV and CardDAV protocol, several third-party application vendors expanded Outlook add-ins to permit users to synchronize with CalDAV and CardDAV servers. CalConnect includes a software list that permits users synchronizing their calendars with CalDAV contacts/servers with CardDAV servers.

Internet standards adherence

• HTML rendering: Microsoft Outlook 2007 was the initial Outlook to swap the Internet Explorer rendering engine with Microsoft Word 2007.
• Support of HTML attributes and CSS properties: For Windows, Outlook has bounded support of CSS over several email clients. CSS1 (1996) and CSS2 (1998) specifications are not fully implemented, and various CSS properties can be used only with some HTML elements for the intended effect.
• Ship Neutral Encapsulation Format: Internally, Exchange and Outlook Server manage messages, items, and appointments as objects within a data model derived from the previous Microsoft Mail system.
• Calendar compatibility: Microsoft Outlook doesn't fully support syncing and data specifications for contacts and calendaring, including vCard 3.0, SyncML, CalDAV, and iCalendar. Outlook also supports the 2.1 version of vCard and doesn't support two or more contacts as one file in the vCard format.
• .msg format: Microsoft Outlook promotes the proprietary.msg format's usage to save single emails rather than the.eml format. By default, messages apply.msg format. With the future of past versions of Outlook, compatibility is not guaranteed and documented; the format saw 10+ versions published since the 1 version in 2008.

Web Applications of Outlook

Outlook.com is a freely available webmail Microsoft Outlook version. It uses the same user interface. It was originally called Hotmail but in 2012 re-titled as Outlook.com. Outlook on the web (formerly known as Outlook Web App, Outlook Web Access, and Exchange Web Contact) is a Microsoft Outlook's web business version. It is contained in Exchange Online, Exchange Server, and Office 365.

Internet Standard Compliance of Outlook

• HTML rendering
  Outlook 2007 was the initial Outlook to shift from the rendering engine of Internet Explorer to Microsoft word 2007's. It means that CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and HTML items not managed by Word were not supported. The messages of HTML composed in Word appear as they occurred to the author. It effects publishing reports and newsletters because they use intricate CSS and HTML frequently to form the layout. For instance, forms could no longer be encapsulated in the outlook email.
• .msg format
  Outlook (both the recent non-web versions and web version) promotes the usage of the .msg format to store individual emails, rather than the standard .eml format. By default, messages apply the.msg format when forwarded as an attachment or stored on disk. Compatibility with future or past versions of Outlook is not guaranteed nor documented, the format seen on 10 versions published since the first version in 2008.
  The standard formats, i.e., .eml replicates the email format as applied for transmission and are hence compatible with the email clients which apply the normal protocols. Several standard-compliant email clients, such as Mozilla Thunderbird, apply extra headers for storing software-specific details regarding the local email storage while keeping the plain-text file so that it could be read in the text editors and indexed or searched like any other documents by any other applications.
• Calendar compatibility
  Outlook doesn't completely support data and syncing specifications for contacts and calendaring, such as vCard 3.0, SyncML, CalDAV, and iCalendar. Outlook 2007 claims to be completely iCalendar compliant. Although, it doesn't support every core object like VJOURNAL or VTODO.
  Outlook also supports the 2.1 version of vCard and doesn't support more than one contact within the vCard format as an individual file. Also, Outlook has been criticized to have proprietary "Outlook extensions" to the internet standards.
• Transmit Neutral Encapsulation Format
  Exchange Server and Outlook internally manage items, appointments, and messages as objects inside a data model which is acquired from the previous proprietary Microsoft Mail system, OLE general data model, and the Rich Text Format from Microsoft Word.
  When these functions interface with any other protocols like the several X.400 and Internet protocols, they attempt for mapping this internal model onto protocols in such a way that could be reversed when the ultimate recipient is running Exchange or Outlook as well.
• Supports HTML attributes and CSS properties
  For Windows, Outlook contains very limited support of CSS than several other clients of email. Neither CSS2 (1998) nor CSS1 (1996) specifications are completely implemented and various properties of CSS could only be used with HTML elements.

Outlook Appearance

Outlook applies a desktop metaphor containing a closed envelope for unseen messages, a paper clip to display attachments, and an open envelope to read messages.

Outlook Security Concerns

Microsoft took the right steps for fixing the reputation of Outlook in Office Outlook 2003 as a part of its Trustworthy Computing initiative. Office Outlook 2003 doesn't automatically load pictures in HTML emails or allow opening executable attachments among the publicized security aspects and contains a built-in Junk Mail Filter. The 2nd version of Service Pack has augmented these aspects and includes an anti-phishing filter.

Add-ins of Outlook

The add-ins of Outlook are small extra programs for the application, i.e., Microsoft Outlook, mainly purposed for adding new functional capabilities in Outlook and automating several routine operations. Also, the term refers to programs in which the main function is to implement Outlook files like backup or synchronization utilities. Outlook add-ins might be created in Microsoft Visual Studio or various third-party tools like Add-in Express. These add-ins aren't supported inside the Outlook Web App.

Exchange Client Extensions are compatible in Outlook from Outlook 97 on. The 2000 and later versions of Outlook support particular COM components known as Outlook Add-ins. The exact supported aspects (like .NET components) for later versions were extended with all releases.

SalesforceIQ Inbox for Outlook

Salesforce disclosed that its SalesforceIQ (relationship intelligence platform) would be capable of seamlessly develop with Outlook in March 2016. SalesforceIQ implements from within the Outlook inbox, offering data from customer social profiles, email, and CRM. Also, it offers recommendations in the inbox on several aspects such as responses, contacts, appointment scheduling, etc.

Hotmail Connector

It is formerly called Microsoft Office Outlook Connector. Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector is a defunct free and discontinued add-in for Microsoft Outlook 2010, 2007, and 2003, intended for integrating Outlook.com (formerly called Hotmail) into Microsoft Outlook. It applies DeltaSync which is a proprietary Microsoft communications protocol that was formerly used by Hotmail.

In the 12 version, access to notes, tasks, and online synchronization with the MSN calendar is available only to paid premium accounts MSN subscribers. The 12.1 version published in December 2008 as an upgrade, applies Windows Live Calendar rather than the former MSN Calendar. It means that calendar aspects became free for every user, except for task synchronization which became unavailable. The 12.1 version became a needed upgrade for continuing to apply the service as a part of the migration to Windows Live Calendar from MSN Calendar in April 2008.

Social Connector

It was a freely available add-in for Microsoft Outlook 2007 and 2003 by Microsoft that permitted social network integration like Windows Live Messenger, LinkedIn, and Facebook into Microsoft Outlook. First, it was introduced on 18 November 2009. Outlook Social Connector can also be described as an Outlook integral part beginning with Microsoft Office 2010.

CalDAV and CardDAV Connector

Since Microsoft Outlook doesn't support CardDAV and CalDAV protocol along the way, several third-party software vendors integrated Outlook add-ins for enabling users to synchronize with CardDAV and CalDAV servers. CalConnect contains a software list that enables users for synchronizing their calendars with CalDAV contacts/servers with CardDAV servers.

Importing from email clients

Outlook traditionally supported importing messages from Lotus Notes and Outlook Express. Microsoft Office supports IMAP and POP3 protocols, enabling users for importing emails from servers that support these types of protocols. Microsoft Hotmail Connector add-in aids importing emails through Hotmail accounts.

Later, Outlook 2013 developed the functionality of this add-in and included the ability for importing email (a calendar as well) from the Exchange ActiveSync protocol. There are a few ways for getting the emails from Thunderbird; the initial is to apply a tool that can convert a folder of Thunderbird to a format that can be shifted from Outlook Express.

This technique must be folder by folder processed. The other technique is to apply a couple of free tools that can keep the real folder structure. An easy technique is to connect the previous mail client to Exchange with IMAP and upload the real mail from the client to Exchange account if Exchange is present.

Versions of Outlook

Outlook has substituted the previous Exchange client, Schedule, email clients, and scheduling of Microsoft. Outlook 2000 and Outlook 98 provide two different configurations:

• IMO mode (Internet Mail Only): A lighter mode of application with particular emphasis on IMAP and POP3 accounts including a flexible Fax application.
• CW mode (Corporate Work group): A complete MAPI client along with a specific focus on Microsoft Exchange accounts.

Microsoft Windows

Outlook 2002

Some of the new features in Outlook 2002 are as follows:

• Email address auto-complete
• Calendar item colored categories
• Group schedules
• Supports hyperlinks in the subject lines of the email
• Developed search functionality including the capability for stopping any search and later resuming it
• Supports lunar calendar
• Integrate MSN Messenger
• Performance improvements

Outlook 2003

Some of the new features in Outlook 2003 are as follows:

• Auto-complete recommendations for an individual character
• Desktop alert
• Colored flags
• Expendable distribution lists
• Reading pane
• Information management for rights
• Search folders
• Supports Unicode

Outlook 2007

Some of the new features in Outlook 2007 are as follows:

• Word 2007 substitutes Internet Explorer as a default HTML email viewer and becomes the default editor of email in it and every subsequent release.
• Supports unified messaging with Exchange Server 2007 including several aspects like Windows media player, voicemail with voicemail preview, and missed call notifications.
• Export items as XPS or PDF files
• Windows SideShow support with a calendar gadget introduction
• RSS aggregation integration

Outlook 2010

Some of the new features in Outlook 2010 are as follows:

• Additional switches of command-line
• IMAP messages are transferred to the Deleted items folder, removing the requirement for marking messages for future deletion.
• A developed conversation view that combines messages based on distinct criteria despite originating folders.
• Notification if an email is about transferred without any subject
• Ribbon interface in every view
• Quick steps, individual command collections that permit users for performing more than one action simultaneously
• Spell check-in extra user interface areas
• Multiple exchange account support in one Outlook profile
• The ability for scheduling a meeting along with a contact by responding to the email message
• Zooming user interface for mail and calendar views

Outlook 2013

Outlook 2013 was published on 29 January 2013. Some of its new features are as follows:

• Improved startup performance
• People hub
• Outlook data file compression
• IMAP improvements
• Improved cached Exchange mode
• Add-in resiliency
• Attachment reminder
• Exchange ActiveSync

Outlook 2016

Some of the new features in Outlook 2016 are as follows:

• Scalable Vector Graphics
• Email Address Internationalization
• Clutter folder
• Search cloud
• Group redesign
• Attachment link to the cloud resource

Outlook 2019

Some of the new features in Outlook 2019 are as follows:

• True dark mode
• Cloud attachment automatic download
• Simple email sorting
• Listen to our emails
• Add more than one time zone
• Focused inbox

Macintosh

Also, Microsoft published various Outlook releases for traditional Mac OS. However, it was for use with Exchange servers only. It was not offered as an element of Microsoft Office for Mac but rather made present for users by download or from administrators. For Mac 2001, the final release was Outlook which was the same as Outlook 2002 and 2000 apart from being only for the users of Exchange.

For Mac OS, Microsoft Entourage was published as an Outlook-like application in Office 2001, but it has insufficient Exchange connectivity. Partial Exchange server support natively became available in Mac OS X along with Service Pack 2 of Entourage 2004.

For Mac 15.3, Outlook improves under its predecessors with:

• Email download and faster first-run experience with developed syncing of Exchange Web Services.
• Office 365 pushes the support of email for real-time email delivery.
• Support for Master Category List and sync between OWA, Microsoft Windows, and Mac clients.
• Supports online archive to search Exchange (on-premise or online) archived mail
• A new latest user interface with developed agility and scrolling when switching between the tabs of Ribbon
• Better reliability and performance as an outcome of the database improvements and a fresh threading model.

Phones and tablets

In April 2014, initially published by the venture capital-backed startup Acompli, the enterprise was inherited in December 2014 by Microsoft. Acompli was re-titled as Outlook Mobile on 29 January 2015- sharing its title with the Outlook.com email service and personal information manager of Microsoft Outlook desktop.

Microsoft published Outlook for tablets and phones with Office 365 in January 2015. It was the initial Outlook for these environments with contacts, calendars, and emails. Outlook mobile provides its support for several different email platforms and services including Yahoo! Mail, Outlook.com, Google Workspace (G Suite), Gmail, iCloud, and Exchange. The application supports more than one email account at the same time.

Microsoft inherited Sunrise Calendar on 4 February 2015. Sunrise ceased to implement and an update was published to Outlook mobile that included enhancements to the functions of its calendar on 13 September 2016.

• Outlook mobile provides an aggregation of files and attachments saved on a cloud storage environment similar to the desktop counterpart. The app supports several email services and platforms including Google Workspace (G Suite), Microsoft Exchange, and Outlook.com among others.
• Outlook mobile is developed to consolidate functionality that will normally be detected in isolated applications on mobile devices, similar to the personal information manager in personal computers.
• It is developed around four different "hubs" for different types of tasks including people, files, calendars, and mail.
• The "People" hub mentions recently and frequently used contacts and combines recent negotiations with them. The "File" hub combines recent attachments through messages and can develop with other storage services as well such as OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.

Temporarily, Outlook Mobile indexes and stores user data (including contacts, calendar, information attachments, and email) with login credentials in the Microsoft Azure server's secure form positioned in the United States. These servers recognize as one Exchange ActiveSync user for fetching email on Exchange accounts.

Additionally, the app doesn't support mobile device management, nor permits administrators for controlling how the cloud storage services of a third party are utilized with the app to collaborate with their users. Concerns around these security problems have prompted a few firms including the European Parliament for blocking the application on their Exchange servers. Microsoft organizes a pre-existing and separate Outlook Web Access application for iOS and Android.

Installing Outlook 365 (Unofficial) client in Ubuntu

Microsoft Outlook is a platform of communication from Microsoft that enables us to connect and remain organized with our contacts, calendar, and email from one application. It permits users and teams to collaborate, communicate, and grow with Office 365 as well. The official application of Outlook is not available for Linux users. We will need to settle for a workaround application known as Prospect Mail (a client of unofficial Outlook for Linux) for getting Outlook in Ubuntu and other distributions of Linux.

Prospect mail is a Microsoft Outlook client (unofficial) for Linux with electron. It applies the web application and wraps it as an application with electron. Microsoft Outlook takes users together for communicating and sharing so operations can get done as efficiently and quickly as possible. Whether we are a large or small enterprise, Outlook can aid our team to collaborate and communicate. These conversations will be present on mobile devices, desktops, and everywhere we have Outlook installed.

A few of the aspects we get in Prospect Mail are as follows:

• System notification
• Supports dock tray
• Close to minimize
• Receive our Outlook OWA MS Office 365 from the desktop application online

Installing Prospect Mail using Snap

Outlook (Prospect Mail) can be also installed by Ubuntu snap package management. It might be the fastest way for installing Prospect Mail. Snap is an application packaged with each of their dependency to run on every famous distribution of Linux from one build. Automatically, they update and gracefully roll back.

We need to execute the following commands for installing Prospect Mail by Snap:

• Prospect mail (Outlook) should be installed when we are done. If we wish to open it, we need to go to the tab, i.e., Activities Overview, and find Prospect Mail and then launch it.
• Type in the password and email address of Outlook to log on when it opens. We can start to receive and send emails from our desktop without needing to online logon.
• If we are new users or students looking for an Ubuntu system for starting learning, the simplest place to begin is Ubuntu Linux operating system. It is the best Linux OS for newcomers.
  
• Ubuntu is an open-source Linux OS that executes on the server, laptops, desktops, and other devices.

We will see that Linux is not so different as compared to the Windows operating systems and other operating systems in several ways, especially when it comes to utilizing the system for getting work done during our introduction to Ubuntu.
Both Windows and Ubuntu systems permit us to be reliable, easy to use, and productive, and enable us to install and execute several functions from gaming to production suite software for businesses and individuals.