... The necessary evil.

Since there are Outlook I work business and pleasure with it and before already with Microsoft Schedule Plus (Anno 1992). So you could say that I've pretty much noticed every evolutionary step of Outlook since the primordial soup.

What can I say, it's just ... Outlook sonderliche innovations I have not found, the menu is now running in Ribbon look and some settings are now hidden under other submenus.

Since I have ancient archives as PST, I need a program that can clean and reliable access to it. Since it does not seem necessary for the PST holding in a clean format Open format (OpenDocument or OpenXML least like the other Office products for a few years usual) to convert Microsoft, to get otherwise not at its data zoom.
I would not have these archives, I would not have bought Outlook, but unfortunately there are no alternatives to.
Thunderbird with Lightning is not an option if you have already PST archives (functional for home use I find TB + Lightning, however, almost equal, even miles ahead in the plug-ins) and it is thus not possible to map all the structures as in Outlook.

Why only 2 stars? That is why ...

- No connectivity / synchronization to GMail and Co out-of-the-box. You would think that you would find in 2014 of at least +100 flanged for a program that has not changed, in effect since 1997 connectors to popular services now? Wrong!
What you will find this: Facebook. Microsoft, Wrong topic, set, 6! One star deduction!
For more money you get from other vendors at least very good synchronization solutions offered (gSyncit) ... In Thunderbird, however, this is possible free of charge via a plug-in.

- As a single product really too expensive. Microsoft uses here the virtual monopoly and milking the cash cow. Okay, that make other companies also, only 70-80 were a more realistic price for this for ages same product. Another star less.

- Binding to the Microsoft account. There is no way that the product associated to change Account Email Address / MS. Support is also advice and helpless, no chance. How to get (very well prevent resale) on such ideas? I do not have the problem, fortunately, but just imagine a small company (no OPEN licenses) exchanges a few employees whose Office licenses hang addresses to the e-mail, before the chaos is perfect.
And already we are at 2 stars!

Hope it's fairly understandable. Outlook works as it should and the introduced since Office 2007 Ribbon menus can argue.
The disturbing points would really not have to be and could be resolved (changing the MS account after consultation with Support, where is there the problem ?!), especially if you For years - rages on the usability and look of the menus - with dubious success ,

Update: offline installation of a registered product without a Live account!
After a few installations of current office applications with the PKC (Product Key Card) I finally came across a slightly hidden option on office.com when you can save the online installation procedure eg in slow lines ...
1) log (if not already done, the product with the Key to the PKC register) on office.com with the Live account
2.) Select the "My Account" desired product and do not click "Install" but on ...
3.) ... "install from a disk"> "I want a CD / DVD." > "Download" (a .img is downloaded)
4.) "your Product Key Show" and note this Key (best writing on the PKC), it involves the Retail Key
5.) .img embed the target computer or unpack, start installation and not with the Microsoft account login, but "product key use" (or something like select) and the Retail Key displayed previously on office.com (not the on the Product install key card !!)
... This procedure is applicable to all Office 2013 products applicable. Nevertheless, there is no star to do so because so illogical, hide confusing would not this feature.