Categories, Outlook... Completely sad.

[none]

It is sad that with every new version of M$ code that comes out, functionality disappears or is completely and utterly confounded beyond
belief.

Take "Categories" for instance:

In 2003, they were stored in a registry key, but were in binary format so they could not be edited except inside Outlook without breaking
out all my geek tools (or paying for more software). I need to import them to multiple machines domain-wide. At work we run 2003, and I
need to also export them so users can import them at home in 2007. Categories change daily here, and I need to update them on tons of
machines. That can't be done.

In 2007 where in the world are they stored? Why can't I have the same categories in tasks and notes that I have in email? Why call it a
"Master Category List"? I know you are supposed to be able to use a GPO to APPEND to the "Master" list, but that hasn't worked yet.

Why break things from version to version, and not improve them? I still am not seing any advantaes to using 2007... we get rss feeds? that
sucks too, since it only seems to recognize xml feeds... why can't we view all feeds in once pane? Why change things so much that the UI
is almost unusable to the average user?

Has someone already found these answers? Or am I just overlooking the obvious?

In my organization, we are not going to move from 2003 to 2007 until we are absolutely forced to, and we definitely will not pay for it.
There just is no good reason, and we have to reinvent the wheel on EVERY little thing we try to do.

Thanks..
ft4bredn

 

[Roady [MVP]]

"I know you are supposed to be able to use a GPO to APPEND to the "Master"
list, but that hasn't worked yet."
You might want to figure out what you are doing wrong then as it works as a
charm here. Categories are now stored within the mailbox so they can travel
with the use which is a great improvement. This also means that you don't
have to fiddle with things at the user's home computer either; categories
will be simply there as well.

"since it only seems to recognize xml feeds"
Not true. Make sure you are using the correct subscription address. I've got
subscriptions that end with aspx as well.

"There just is no good reason"
That would depend on your environment and needs. Just some highlights for
me;
-the "To-Do Bar"
-Calendar Overlay Mode
-improved Tasks display in Calendar
-reminders across folders
-Scheduling your Out of Office Assistant with Exchange 2007
-Instant Search
-new editor with Ribbon support