Questions about Outlook, Outlook.com, standards and security - Microsoft Community

hi everybody,

i considering starting subscription microsoft office 365. understand subscription comes automatic membership in outlook.com , onedrive. have questions these services , office:

i inquired these services on other forums outside of microsoft. encountered strong , contrasting points-of-view on subject. people seem "love 'em or hate 'em".

1: heard "look @ transport mua (user agent) first, microsoft uses proprietary synchronization technology instead of proven , robust ietf standards of imap. @ mail, in particular. microsoft not compliant large number of ietf standards on both formatting , transport of mail between mtas (mail-transfer agents). while microsoft may have rfcs out of proprietary protocols, rfcs that, request comment, not standard. management of calendaring , address book bad, again proprietary protocols instead of ietf standards." is of correct?

2: heard: "security? microsoft? kidding? routinely fail patch systems in reasonable time after being notified (privately) severe vulnerabilities. i'm not talking failure of end users patch, patches aren't available. smb , entire windows user/security model continues huge hole in security, when administered. windows such hodge-podge of old code nobody knows how works more. there no such thing "independent security audit" windows."

3: , this:  "we use outlook @ place of work, , find more frustrating use gmail. gmail allows search more easily, has better organizational options, , app useful/fairly intuitive on phone. don't feel outlook of well."

4: contrasting point-of-view: 

"i used windows-based hardware windows mobile 10, windows 10 desktop & laptop , xbox gaming console. owned office 365 home, allow me access many great features such 1tb onedrive (cloud storage service), monthly free skype 60 mins , able share microsoft office include access/publisher families/friends 5 people , 5 devices. both contact , calendar stored microsoft too. information automatically sync across hardware phone, multiple laptops , xbox. except skype, access updated contact anywhere, @ installed default application called people. offline access available too, though latest updated information may not there yet. how, how these work me. not entirely sure may work you, advice give many chance see whether may before jump aboard. nothing 100% perfect, imho."

5: , this:  "i have been happy our office365 service well. have migrated many of our shared folders google drive onedrive, slick , gives advantage of using full versions of office apps online or via desktop. still use google drive things, , lot too, excel beats google sheets hands down. 

it easy set exchange mail on ios or mac, can use apple mail it. also, can connect ios or mac calendar exchange no problem."

i weighing between using gmail , outlook new professional e-mail contact account. on late-model imac (core i5 processor) running macos x.

does outlook.com support imap?

how outlook.com fight spam? if does, how effective it?

i unsure whether or not use office's outlook app handle email, contacts, calendars, etc. how outlook.com service work without it?

does outlook.com offer customers tutorial videos on how use service?

Outlook.com / Security, privacy, and accounts / Keeping my information safe