So let's see.... So many things to talk about with Outlook enhancements.

First - Learn the shortcuts as they will help you a bunch http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/assistance/HP030842231033.aspx

Note that one of the easiest and effective shortcuts is CTRL+K for those users of Outlook Web Access. Begin typing an email recipient name, and press the shortcut which will resolve it against the Global Address Book. This works for outlook users as well.

Second (Search) - Google Desktop 2.0 definitely helps a bit for searching Outlook. I've used Copernic as well, and the auto preview feature is pretty cool. Most recently MS Desktop Search was just released at v3.x whihch is a great improvement in performance, and let's you combine emails by thread. My suggestion is try all 3 and see which strikes your fancy. In addition, search folders (aka Favorite Folders), although limited, save me a bunch of time. See below in Rules.

Third (Tasks) - Thankfully w/Outlook 2007 this will be alot easier, but being able to tie emails to tasks is critical. Dragging to the tasks bar is pretty effective. However organizing the tasks are a whole different story. I find the Franklin Covey method pretty good for organizing tasks. Tasks are either class A, B, C, w/priority 1,2,3 or nothing. A means critical and must be done ASAP, B means the task should be done before it becomes critical, and C are tasks that can be done whenever. Obviously within each class you have an order/priority of what should be done, but managing this list is def. helpful. Outlook can facilitate this by letting you create your own custom form for your tasks to create new fields, etc. and allow them to be sortable.

Fourth - Keeping outlook snappy. Outlook's performance degrades over time, and this can occur typically for 2 reasons: you have too much email and need to archive, or your profile gets corrupt.

In the case of too much email, auto archive works great. Don't delete anything but clear your mailbox. I have my mailbox clear anything that's >4 months old. That's only half the battle. Once you archive your email, your inbox size does NOT change...until you compact it.

(If you are a POP acct user) - Goto->Personal Folders (TOP) right click and goto 'Properties...'. - Next, click Advanced, and Compact Now

(If your an Exchange user) -Goto Mailbox Outlook Today, right click, 'Properties...' -Click Advanced button, the click the Advanced Tab -Click the Offline Folder File Settings button, then click Compact Now

Compacting can take some time (20 - 75 mins.) and impact performance temporarily, so run it and do something else.

As for your profile, there are resources online to recreate your profile etc, but be aware that it is a common occurrence.

The Live Local plugin is pretty cool for sending directions... http://outlook.local.live.com/minisites/local/outlook/default.aspx

Fifth - Rules / Alerts. I recommend using rules to file any regular emails, such as newsletters/solicitations/cc statements, etc. I find that it is much more efficient for me to not be bothered by these during the day. I only want things coming into my Inbox that require my attention NOW, not later. If I want to see oustanding emails that the rules caught, I use my 'Unread Email' search folder, which will show me all unread emails in ONE window from all folders. This is an Outlook 2003 option only i believe.

Sixth - Spambayes definitely is one of the best for personal spam filtering, hands down. I've reviewed many, this one is highly rated. For a server-side spam filtering solution, I highly endores Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services, formerly Frontbridge, as the filtering point for your company email before it gets to your inbox. It's quite inexpensive surprisingly.