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OutlookPlugin


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The SpamBayes Outlook Plugin integrates SpamBayes into Microsoft Outlook 2000, XP, or 2003 (note that this does not include any version of Outlook Express, Outlook 97, or Outlook 98 -- use sb_server instead with those), on Windows versions 98 or later. See the [WWW]SpamBayes on Windows page for information and downloads.

Please use this page to share tips or advice regarding the OutlookPlugin.

Q: How to translate the plugin to other languages? Just modify the rc files? -- Zhang Erning

A: Editing the rc will only change the label (ie static controls) in the gui. Until someone adds code to the rcparser to handle multiple languages, you will need to make a copy of the rc file to edit. Any of the dynamic strings (like the plugin status) will need to be changed in the python source code. There's an open tracker on [WWW]SourceForge regarding this.

Q: How to build the installation of this OutlookPlugin from source? -- Zhang Erning

Q: How do I configure Outlook to show the spam score to the Outlook folder view?

A: The spam score is only available by default on your Inbox (the folder that you configured to be the place where you normally receive e-mail when the add-in was installed). See the following question to find out how to configure the spam score on other folders.

  1. Select your Inbox first.

  2. Next, select View, Current View, Customize Current View... to bring up the View Summary dialog.

  3. Click the Fields button to bring up the Show Fields dialog.

  4. Use the Select available fields from: drop-down control to select User defined fields in Inbox.

  5. The Spam field should appear in the Available Fields control.

  6. Select the Spam field by clicking it.

  7. Click the Add -> button.

  8. Once the Spam field is in the Show these fields in this order: control, you may position the field by clicking on it and then by using the Move up or Move Down buttons.

  9. Press the OK button on the Show Fields dialog.

  10. Press the OK button on the View Summary dialog.

  11. The Spam field should now be displayed in this folder. A percentage will be shown for each e-mail.

Q: How do I configure Outlook to show the spam score in a folder other than my Inbox?

A: The Spam score field may be manually added to any folder.

  1. Select a folder that you want to add the spam score to.

  2. Next, select View, Current View, Customize Current View... to bring up the View Summary dialog.

  3. Click the Fields button to bring up the Show Fields dialog.

  4. Use the Select available fields from: drop-down control to select User defined fields in folder.

  5. If the Spam field already appears in the Available Fields control, skip down to step 12.

  6. Press the New Field... button to bring up the New Field dialog.

  7. Enter Spam into the Name: field.

  8. Use the Type: drop-down control to select Percent.

  9. Use the Format: drop-down control to format the spam score to your taste.

  10. Press the OK button on the New Field dialog.

  11. The Spam field should now be in the Show these fields in this order: control. If so, skip to step 14.

  12. Select the Spam field by clicking it.

  13. Click the Add -> button.

  14. Once the Spam field is in the Show these fields in this order: control, you may position the field by clicking on it and then by using the Move up or Move Down buttons.

  15. Press the OK button on the Show Fields dialog.

  16. Press the OK button on the View Summary dialog.

  17. The Spam field should now be displayed in this folder. A percentage will be shown for each e-mail.

Q: How do I tell SpamBayes that an e-mail it classified as sure/unsure junk-mail is not spam?

A: Drag the e-mail out of the junk-mail folder and drop it into your Inbox. If you have the spam score field enabled on your inbox, you will see that the spam score drops to 0%.

1. Troubleshooting Q&A

Note that you're probably better off asking for help via the [WWW]SourceForge system or the [MAILTO]mailing list than asking here.

Q: Since installing the Outlook plugin, I'm finding that mail tends to hang in my outbox--the mail won't go and it blocks any mail from coming in. If I shut down Outlook and restart, then it goes. Anybody else see this?

Q: I want to write a VB macro and add a button to select all Unsure items and "Delete As Spam" so its a simple button click to purge my Unsure folder once I've checked them. Is there an API call for the "Delete As Spam" feature?

A: Is there a need really? You just select all e-mails in Outlook then click on the "Spam" happy face. The Unsure e-mails are now marked as Spam.

Q: Spambayes filters fine sometimes, but other times will just seemingly turn itself off. It still is marked on in the settings, but just stops filtering mail. Anyone else seen this?

A: Yes. Sometimes check Help, About, Disabled items. Make sure SpamBayes has not been disabled. If it is, enable it and restart Outlook. You'll have to check in Task Manager also to make sure additional processed of Outlook.exe is not running. If it is, you'll have to end the task manually.