Software Sync

[gcianc]

you can use the google solution or windows live (hotmail) for contact sync. You gotta choose what "master contact" format you want on the web/cloud that will sync with Windows Phone. Basically it's best to be either...

google
windows live hotmail

email....
google mail supports imap which allows 100% sync mail from mobile outlook and thunderbird.

windows live hotmail does not allow imap (won't work with thunderbird) but does 100% sync mail from mobile outlook to hotmail (or windows live email program which is not bad actually).

if you go with google contacts there is a thunderbird plugin to sync tbird contacts with google contacts also (tbird/google/outlook mobile contacts 100% in sync) which is what i use personally along with oggsync as i sync multiple google calendars as well. You can sync windows live calendars with myphone.

so you have many ways to do it, but much choose the best for you.