Mere Dictum…

A few weeks ago, I reviewed Claritude Software’s Speed Filer, which at the time was in version 1.1.2. See Mere Dictum, 26 July 2007. Since then, the folks at Claritude have released Speed Filer version 2.0 Professional, and it has some great added features that make this wonderful tool even better.

First, while version 1.1.2 was a huge timesaver, each time Outlook was opened, there was a slight delay as Speed Filer loaded up and scanned all the existing mail folders. Version 2.0 now loads in seconds, and without a delay for the Speed Filer splash screen. While a momentary delay is rarely a huge issue, it does make it much easier and quicker to simply start Outlook and send a quick email (especially if you are like me and often remember that ONE email I need to send at the end of the day – after I’ve shut Outlook down). The new version, according to the software documentation now scans the folders in the background as you work, rather than at Outlook startup. As a result, the program is less obtrusive in that it isn’t in the “foreground” at startup.

Next, Speed Filer 2.0 now allows you to file reply emails directly into a folder with the email to which they reply. Thus, there is no need to go back and file the original email after you have sent a reply. The interface for this is the same remarkably simple one used in the previous version, plus the added bonus of a new series of check boxes in the menu bar (in my case the Ribbon in Outlook 2007), which allows you to check whether you want to file the original with the reply or not. This is a wonderful timesaving feature in that it allows you to read an email, respond to it, and file them both away in one easy step.

Speed Filer2.0 Menu Check Boxes

Most importantly (and impressively) Speed Filer 2.0 now has “intelligent folders” which allows it to analyze your email habits and figure out where you want to file a message before you tell it. I must be honest, I was a little skeptical about how well this feature would work before I tried it out, but it really works. I have absolutely no idea exactly how it can conclude that an email with a cryptic subject to an attorney with whom I have multiple cases should be placed in precisely the right folder, before I have even finished writing the message. It is uncanny, but it is an absolutely fabulous feature which is a huge timesaver. You will see, most of the time Speed Filer 2.0 knows where I want to file a message before I do. Of course, if for some reason I want to file the message elsewhere, I still have the option to select a different folder by simply typing a few letters of the folder name (and it’s a fuzzy search, so it need not be the start of the name) and Speed Filer will automatically sort to that folder.

Speed Filer 2.0 adds tabs to the “File Message in” pop-up window, which makes it easier to drill down to your desired folder in a variety of ways, especially if you are a mouse devotee. Still, the strength of the interface lies with the keyboard and the ability to simply tap out a few letters and have Speed Filer automatically take you to the folder you want (assuming it didn’t already figure out where you wanted it). The “File Message in” window now also allows you to “Send and Delete” messages which you have no need to file. This is great in preventing your Sent Items folder from filling up with miscellaneous “throw-away” emails which we all send.

Speed Filer 2.0 “File Message In” Menu

These are just a few of the features of Speed Filer 2.0, and everything that was available in 1.1.2 is still there. As I said when I reviewed the prior version, I have tried numerous email filing applets and utilities, and none of them are as easy to use, lightweight, efficient, and effective as Speed Filer 2.0 Professional.

The cost for Speed Filer Professional 2.0 is $39.95 while the Personal version is $24.95. The Personal version is remarkably similar to version 1.1.2, and would be fine for most home users. The Professional version, on the other hand, is powerful and simple—in my opinion it is an excellent value for your software dollar.

If you haven’t tried Speed Filer, you really should. I will all but guarantee that you will definitely want to purchase the program at the end of the 30 day free trial. For more information, visit the Claritude Software site, or Speed Filer creator Itzy Sabo’s blog Email Overloaded.

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*** The author did not receive any compensation for this review. ***