I was recently asked by a business client how they could use the Microsoft Office Out of Office Assistant without being on an Exchange Server.
This will show you how to use Outlook (sorry, not Outlook Express) to give an automated response to show people that although you got the email you're not in the office or available to answer it.
If you're using Word as your email editor; or using HTML or Rich Text this will not work. You have to use plain text.
Make a Template
Open a new blank email and write your message with any info you want included.
"Hello and thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office and won't be returning until I regain my sanity"
Don't address it. Click on the File menu within the email and choose Save As. When the Save As box appears, use the dropdown menu at the bottom that says Save as type and choose Outlook Template (*.oft).
Don't change the defualt location. It needs to be saved there so you can select it from the Templates library.
Name and save the template. Close the email message and click no when Outlook asks if you want to save the mail.
Make the Rule So It Automatically Replies To Everyone
In Outlook 2002 and Up, the first step of the Rules Wizard asks if you want to base this rule on an existing rule or start with a new rule. Tell it to start with a new blank rule.
Look through the list of choices and check the one that says Reply with a specific template. Click on the underlined words in the bottom pane. Use the dropdown box at the top to select User Templates. In the box below you will see your template. Select it and click on Open. The rule is setup to reply to everyone with this template.
Free Storage (AMD Streamload)
25 gigs of free storage you can access anywhere within the reach of a computer? Email extremely large attachments to other users? Is it secure? Sort of. Encrypted? No. Do they guarantee? no - it's free folks. All you need is a valid email address. Goto:
