16th January 2002

Gretchen hates it when I watch her working on her computer. "Oh, you can do the same thing quicker this way." What I have to realize is that sometimes people are content NOT to mess with what's working well enough. To me, an untapped tweak is sacrilege. For instance, I had no idea that Outlook Express's rules were so vibrant until Randy Stevens told me. "I am stuck with OE (I don't feel like looking at ads in Eudora). So, I set up a message rule that turns any message with an attachment red. It sticks out like a sore thumb, and of course I don't have the preview pane [turned] on. This way, when I see crimson, I know to proceed with caution." Sweet! Click Tools | Message Rules | Mail. Now, select your conditions, then select the "Highlight it with a color" action. Color me impressed. Regular Outlook users have the same option, although it's easier to apply through the Organize feature (also found in the Tools menu). Once this panel is open, you can press the "Automatic Formatting" button in the top right corner. Add, remove, and edit existing color display rules from there.