CNET News.com reports America Online is testing a standalone email client called "AOL Communicator" that could set the stage for a features battle with Microsoft Outlook in the market for Internet-based communications software.

IDG.net has an article on Spam CounterStrike. A new version is out which offers a faster and more accurate spam detection engine, new user interfaces, and a brand new installation wizard. According to the article, Spam CounterStrike is ideal for Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, Eudora, IncrediMail, Netscape HotMail Premium, and Yahoo! Premium as well as any POP compatible Windows email program.

TechWeb News reports Microsoft unveiled OneNote, which is designed to capture handwritten and typed notes, then organize them into project folders and tabbed pages. According to the article, once it’s digital, information in OneNote can be maneuvered to an actual document-making application, such as Word or PowerPoint. From OneNote, Microsoft says you should also be able to email your digital notes via Outlook.

ADTmag.com reports Oracle debuted a new version of its Collaboration Suite at its annual technology and user conference in San Francisco last week. According to the article, Oracle is reaching out specifically to users of Microsoft’s Exchange Server 5.5, offering special prices to those who would switch to the Oracle product rather than accept the scheduled upgrade to Exchange Server 2000.

The Register has an article on the launch of Zippy, a hosted service that offers file sharing, instant messaging, and PIM functionality for a fixed fee per user per month. According to the article, it provides much of the functionality of Notes or Exchange without the need for an IT administrator. However, it doesn’t provide the sophisticated replication of Notes.

Information Week reports Cloudmark released an enterprise spam hunter/killer engine that identifies unwanted messages by their structure rather than by their domains or keywords. According to the article, the engine, called Authority, blocks spam at the gateway, preventing it from entering a company’s network.

ZDNet reports thta contrary to some reports, the next version of Exchange, code-named Titanium, will run on Windows 2000, though some features do require .Net Server. According to the article, "Confusion has arisen because the current version of the email server, Exchange 2000, will not run on the next operating system version, Windows .Net Server, suggesting that perhaps users cannot upgrade to .Net Server until Titanium ships in the middle of 2003."

Yahoo News reports Mi8 Corporation announced the availability of BlackBerry wireless email devices and service for customers in Europe who subscribe to Mi8’s Microsoft Exchange services. Mi8 has supported the BlackBerry devices from Research in Motion (RIM) in North America since 1999, and is the first messaging service provider in Europe to offer the BlackBerry service in conjunction with Microsoft Exchange.

ZDNet News reports SuSE will announce a partnership with technology distributor Arrow Electronics. According to the article, the deal will help SuSE fill a gap in its U.S. sales strategy. "Arrow will help connect SuSE to larger computer resellers, companies with their own expertise in installing and supporting computer technology. That expertise is crucial to helping companies install products such as SuSE’s Linux-based Open Exchange Server, which duplicates the function of Microsoft Exchange."

RCRnews reports there’s a new deal between synchronization company Pumatech Inc. and Microsoft Corp.