Is it possible to move mail between Mail and Entourage?

[RickR]

I just bought a iMac and am not sure if I should use Microsoft's Entourage or Apple's Mail App? I'm a recent switcher from PC's so am using to Outlook and I know Entourage is different. I like using features such as signatures and am not sure if Apple's Mail app will do everything I need since I use the computer for Office.
From what I've heard there is a plugin that allows you to switch contacts between Entourage and Address Book and a program that lets you switch your tasks and calendar from Entourage to iCal and of course vice versa. Is that true?
I'm not sure from what I've read if that is true for Mail. Is it? I have a lot of emails I save and would rather start with the right program from the beginning instead of changing a month down the line and most of all I'd like to know even if I try one I have the ability to switch my data over if I decide to change programs.

 

[netdog]

I found Entourage's database approach to be a disaster. The master data file became corrupted twice and I lost my data. Mail has never given me so much as a hiccup and it does everything I could possibly ask and, like most of us, I am a heavy email user.

And yes, it is easy to move the mail from one to the other.

 

[MisterMe]

There is one and only one reason to use Entourage 2004. That is if you have a Microsoft Exchange account whose setup is incompatible with Mail/iCal/Address Book. Entourage 2004 sucks. The Apple triumverate of Mail/iCal/Address Book is superior to Entourage 2004 for POP3 and IMAP accounts. If you have a Microsoft Exchange account, the Apple triumverate is also better if it works. Entourage's flaky database is just one issue.

You might be led to believe that because Entourage and Outlook are both Microsoft products, that they are compatible with each other. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Both apps can communicate with an Exchange server, but they cannot exchange files with each other. For example, Entourage cannot open Outlook .pst archives, with the exception of .pst archives created by Outlook 2001, the last Mac[OS 9] version of Outlook. Outlook 2001 can administer an Exchange account; Entourage 2004 cannot. I could go on.

The takeaway message is that unless you have an Exchange account which is incompatible with Mail, stay away from Entourage. You will be happy you did.

 

[a456]

I can wholeheartedly agree with the other two responses. My fingers were burned with Entourage v.X and though I now have Entourage 2004 I dare not use it. Messages can be transferred between the two but it is a messy job and not worth doing. As the others have said use Mail - life is too short for Entourage.

 

[sushi]

I just bought a iMac and am not sure if I should use Microsoft's Entourage or Apple's Mail App? I'm a recent switcher from PC's so am using to Outlook and I know Entourage is different.

I assume that you are referring to Outlook and not Outlook Express.

If so, and I were in your shoes, and needed or wanted Outlook capability I would get Parallels and run Outlook from there.

Entourage 2004 leaves a lot to be desired. A fine example of a terrible programming attempt by the MBU.

Mail is okay, but is even farther removed from Outlook.