First, how do I know when I receive an answer?  I am not tech savvy--pleas respond in layman's terms.

First, what is the difference between Outlook in Office and Outlook Hotmail, which I have?

Second, I have a Mac, OS 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard).  Yesterday, Apple restored my OS.  I can access my contacts through Safari, but they are blank with Firefox.  

Also, a big yellow O appeared on my dock, to upgrade the Office database, which I would prefrer not to do now.  There was also something about rebuilding Outlook, which sounds like a complicated maze and a lengthy process.  Do I really need to do this--what happens if I don't?