ClearContext v5: Streamlined & Smarter
We’re making ClearContext simpler, faster and smarter. Previously we discussed v5 single-click filing and message prioritization. Here are a few other near term changes coming in v5.0.
Smarter Threading
A frequent feature request is to improve the accuracy of message conversation threading. In v4 and earlier, ClearContext uses subject name to link messages together. In v5 ClearContext will use Outlook’s conversation ID (when available) for threading. For those of you on mail servers that utilize this ID, the result will be smarter, more accurate conversation threading. Subject-based threading will be used in cases where the ID is not available, most notably when receiving mail from some webmail services outside of Exchange.
Multiple Mail File Support
In v5 we are removing the filing limitation of one primary and one secondary mail file. ClearContext will recognize all of your open mail files, allowing filing to all open PSTs.
Office 2010
Office 2010 support will include full ribbon functionality in the explorer (Inbox) and adaptation of custom UI elements (Dashboard, Scorecard, etc.). A test version with Office 2010 32bit support will be available in Q4. We plan to implement 64bit support in a future release, timing TBD.
Streamlined Features
We are removing some features in v5 to simplify the interface, improve performance and focus on our core capabilities. In particular:
- FolderContext will no longer appear in each folder. This information will still be available via Project Dashboards.
- Conversation Priority will no longer be supported. Messages will still be automatically prioritized as they are received, but we will no longer support marking individual threads as important.
- Alerts will be removed in v5.0. Pending feedback, we may bring this feature back in another form for a future 5.x release.
Improved Infrastructure\Performance
Many of the changes we have previously discussed result in improved performance. In particular, startup is faster, folders open more quickly, and message conflicts are minimized. With this improved infrastructure, the product will better support multiple machine use and mobile device access and we will be on track to expand beyond Exchange and POP support in future ClearContext releases.
v5.x
The changes we have discussed so far are all in our initial v5.0 release. Future v5.x releases will include an overhaul of the project management features in the Dashboard, improved statistics and measurement and much more. Keep an eye on the blog for future detail.
All v4 purchases made after August 1, 2009 and all ClearContext Connect subscribers will receive a complimentary upgrade to v5. If you haven’t already signed up for the v5 beta, send an email to beta at clearcontext dot com. The beta schedule isn’t finalized yet, but we will let you know when a download is available.