If you prefer the Outlook-ish 3 pane layout for mail, you can install this mail plugin to get the three column layout. I’ve never used a 3 column layout before, but some of my friends suggested I give it a shot.

This is what mail looks like after you install the plugin:

Mail Screen

If you have a smaller screen, the layout might not work for you. On my 15″ PowerBook, however, it works fine.

Update: I’ve been using this for about 20 minutes, and I already like this layout. Messages feel a lot less confined, and they are easier to read.