Q&A: which version of Entourage should I use with Exchange?

I got this one via email:

My company is about to give Exchange accounts to everyone. I have heard that I need a special version of Entourage. What do I do?

Since the questioner didn't use a valid email address, I can't respond to ask for more details. Remember, folks: if you email me, don't put "someone@somewhere.com" as your email address.

If you are using Exchange 2003 or earlier, then you can use Entourage 2008 or earlier. You should not use Entourage for Web Services; it won't work with Exchange 2003.

If you are using Exchange 2007, I highly recommend using Entourage for Web Services. You can use Entourage 2008 or earlier if you like, but Entourage for Web Services has many performance improvements and gives you additional Exchange features like tasks, notes, and category sync.

If your Exchange server is cutting-edge and is using Exchange 2010, then you must use Entourage for Web Services. Entourage 2008 or earlier won't work with it.

Entourage for Web Services is available as a free download for users of Office 2008 Standard Edition and Office 2008 Special Media Edition. If you have Office 2008 Business Edition, EWS is included on the second disc. Office 2008 Home and Student Edition doesn't include support for Exchange, so EWS isn't available as a free download for that edition.