If you are upsing a dial-up connection then I can understand why you use Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. If, however you use broadband or other high-speed connection - why not go direct to your mail server and send & recieve from there! It will rarely - if ever break down (unlike Outlook, etc) and is safer.. Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express seem to me designed for the dial-up era, when all time online was paid for.