Outlook exchange: address book vs contacts, differences?

[michael0224]

I am using Outlook 2003 in office. There is one address book in "tools" and one contact listed on the right hand side like a short-cut. What is the main difference between? I need to sync both so that other users won't get mixed up two of them, but looks like I am also not quite understand the concept of an address book and contacts. Entries in address book are not the same as the ones in contacts.

Thanks.

[pam123]

The contact list does incorporate email addresses but you can be in the address book and not on the contact list.
As the name indicates contacts should be people you have to send messages to, arrange appointments for, and interact with regularly.
It's a time saver if you have to keep the same group of, say 20 or so, people in sync.
Just put them in sub folders and email the whole lot at once.
Also groups of customers and/or their representatives can be included.
If you have to track one individual regularly for a special project then he/she should have an electronic index card as well.
Other people who you interact with less often can remain in the address book without being placed on the contact list.
A word of warning : You know those stories about some hapless employee hitting send and telling the entire office and all the customers that he thinks the boss is an idiot ?
Get careless with the contact list and it will happen to you.

[mairving]

If you are hooked up to an Exchange server, you will have a Global Contact list. This is a list maintained by the mail server. Below that you will have your local contact list.