[Ham-Computers] RE: Keeping two email PST files in sync

Wed Aug 16 22:39:28 EDT 2006

Aaron,
Hmmm...many good things to consider...I could use the key as a backup
location each time I close Outlook and just plug it in the other machine
when I take it with me.  I then could just import the messages into the
other machine.

Currently, I have Outlook prompting me for a backup when I close and I take
that choice a couple of times a week just to be cautious.

This method would allow me use either machine with the same accounts and
their own copies of the Outlook Rules.

The only glitch is that the pst file tends to be between 400-800MB, so it
takes awhile to move the data into the USB memory.

73,
Gordon Beattie, W2TTT
201.314.6964
w2ttt at att.net
w2ttt at arrl.net
w2ttt at att.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Hsu, Aaron (NBC
Universal)
Sent: Wednesday, 16 August, 2006 21:27
To: I>Ham-Computers
Subject: [Ham-Computers] RE: Keeping two email PST files in sync

See replies in-line...

>>> You wrote:
The idea of running a server doesn't allow me untethered access and so is
not realistic.  However, could I download email and leave it on the server
as well?

>>> My reply:
If you configure Outlook to keep messages on the server, it brings down a
"copy" of the e-mail to the local machine and a copy remains on the server.
Therefore, you'll have a copy on both the server and the local PC.  This
this messy though as if you then use a second PC to download the e-mail,
then there are now three copies of the same e-mail in existance.  If you
should then delete the copy from one PC, it should also delete the copy on
the server.  However, the e-mail still exists on the 2nd PC and you'll also
need to delete it there.  Thus, true syncronization is difficult as you need
to perform two deletes on the same e-mail in order to delete it from both
systems.  I have clients that have their e-mail setup this way (shared
account) and they often run into sync issues where someone D/L'd the e-mail
and then deleted it after reading it before another person had a chance to
download and read.  Get's really messy as some people have copies of e-mail
others have already deleted.

>>> You wrote:
Alternatively, could I create a rule there to download all my email to two
different accounts, one for each laptop?  This might be the best way if I
have a server that could do this.

>>> My reply:
Yes, if you have a "spare" system lying around, set it up to run Outlook
24/7.  Create a rule to automatically forward all e-mails to the e-mail
accounts for the two laptops.  This will allow both laptops to have the same
mail, but you'll have the problem of "delete" syncs.  Also, you'll need to
delete the original e-mail from the system that's running the rules.  Or,
instead, have the rule "Redirect" the mail rather than forwarding it - this
will make the forwarding system a re-director.  If you wish, you could also
have this system save a copy of each e-mail in a PST.  Again, you'll have
"delete" sync problems as you'll need to delete e-mail from all three
systems.  On a side note, replying to e-mails may be confusing to the other
party as when you reply, the return-address may be different as you're
responding with a different e-mail account.

I understand your desire to have an "off-line" way to read and respond to
e-mails.  Now that I think about it, I have another suggestion...

How about using a USB flash memory key to store the PST file?  You can get
1GB memory keys for about $30 or less these days.  Configure Outlook on both
systems to save the PST on the USB key and just port the carry the key with
you.  This is probably a much more elegant solution to your question.  Just
make sure to backup the key once in a while!

BTW, if your PST is >1GB, split it apart as PST's tend to get corrupted when
this large and *will* break at 2GB (documented limitation in PST files).

GL & 73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O

______________________________________________________________
Ham-Computers mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ham-computers
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html
Post: mailto:Ham-Computers at mailman.qth.net