Lookout is a small, 849KB download that installs in less than 2 minutes -- that is, if your Windows PC is already running Microsoft.Net Framework 1.1, a system upgrade essential for Lookout-Outlook integration. Our test PC did not have Framework installed, a problem quickly rectified by Lookout's setup routine, which downloaded and installed the 23MB Framework file. This extra step added 6 minutes to the overall setup time.
Lookout installs as a toolbar within Outlook and, after installation, immediately indexes your e-mail messages and attachments so that it can quickly find messages thereafter. Unfortunately, Lookout doesn't index the contents of attachments by default -- if you want to search by keyword, you'll need to open Lookout Options > Advanced and reindex by file type. On the plus side, Lookout is fast. We indexed our test group of 129 e-mail messages in 32 seconds, which is very fast.
Lookout's biggest weakness is that it lacks a file viewer, an essential tool found in both HotBot Desktop and X1 Search. File viewers are helpful when identifying subtle differences between two similarly named files. Nor does it work with Outlook Express, but we suspect Microsoft will remedy that shortcoming in the near future. Currently, support for Lookout includes only a FAQ on the original Lookout site (accessible through Microsoft.com). It would be nice to have e-mail or user forums for additional questions.
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peterj
13/06/2008, 08:49 PM
rating
9/10
For quick searches (while on the phone for example) it is unbeatable.
Pros: Easy
Intuitive
Simple
Cons: None
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bernief
30/10/2004, 06:21 PM
Great free product. Very quick search.
This is just what I have been looking for.
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