Want to get the most out of Outlook? Try these three apps

Like much of the rest of the world, I use Microsoft Outlook as my e-mail program and personal information manager. For once, Microsoft did a reasonable job of creating software.

But Outlook is far from perfect. So I've found three great programs from ZDNet Asia Downloads to help you get more out of it.

My Reality Bar gives you quick access to all of Outlook's features by adding a menu bar and icon to your system tray that let you do things like send and receive e-mail, jot down tasks, look up contacts, and more without having to open Outlook. For heavy Outlook users, it's a big time-saver.(Shareware/Win95-98-NT)

e-Backup makes it easy to back up all your vital Outlook Express data--your e-mail messages, newsgroup information, identities, preferences, and more.(Shareware/Win95-98-NT)

PGPFreeware integrates directly into Outlook so that you can send and receive secure, encrypted e-mail. It works with other e-mail programs and as a standalone encrypter and decrypter as well.(Free/Win95-98-NT)