What is the simplest way to send an email programatically (outlook)? (something that does not require messing with installation of components / messing with the server).

If yo have your heart set on using Outlook, you may find it helpful to download the white paper and code sample from my conference session entitled "Office Auomation With VFP". You will find it on the tools and utilities page of my web site. If you use Outlook, you will need to find a way around the Draconion Security Patch from H*ll - you can find one here: http://www.contextmagic.com/express-clickyes/.

A better alternative would be to use CDO. With CDO you do not need to work-around the security patch.