MSN Connector setting in Outlook 2002

[Richard Wilkinson]

We are new users to MSN and have a question regarding the MSN Connector
added to our Outlook 2002 application.

First, when the connector adds a folder to Outlook 2002, we cannot seem
to edit the name shown in the folder pane like we can for other entries.
The MSN Connector folder name is the e-mail address with a prefix of "MSN
Mailbox." Unfortunately, the default names are too long and unintuitive.
We would like to provide a shorter, more meaningful name for the folder, if
possible. How do we change the folder name?

Second, is there a way to control how e-mail is downloaded to Outlook
2002 from MSN? Other accounts allow us to specify whether the mail on the
server is just copied or copied and then deleted. Furthermore, how can we
control when e-mail is downloaded? For example, automatically, when
requested, or when a header is selected?

We would appreciate any suggestions someone might have.

Thanks,

Richard Wilkinson

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

1) No, you cannot change the folder name.

2) The MSN connector acts more an IMAP account than a POP account. Mail
stays on the server until you delete. What you have locally is a cached
replica of what's on the server. When you delete it in the cache, the
connector makes sure it gets deleted on the server as well.

You can control what happens when Outlook does a send/receive in the
send/receive settings -- Tools | Send/Receive Settings | Define Send/Receive
Groups.

 

[Richard Wilkinson]

Thank you for the reply, Sue. If I understand correctly, not only will the
server contents be downloaded, but the server will be modified
(synchronized) based on changes made in Outlook. However, what if we move
messages within Outlook to a new folder rather than deleting the messages?
Does the server interprete a move out of the Outlook INBOX as a delete?
POP3 accounts have options to delete, or not delete, mail from the server
when messages are downloaded, but we do not appear to have this option with
the MSN Connector folders. Furthermore, in light of the inability to change
the MSN Connector folder name in the Outlook folder pane, would it be better
to set up the MSN accounts manually rather than using the MSN Connector to
automate the process? Does this give us more control?

Thanks,

Richard

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[Richard Wilkinson]

Sue,

One other question, if we may? The MSN CONNECTOR does ask for a display
name when the account is added. The display name field is also available
when editing the mail account in Outlook. However, this information does
not appear to be used anywhere, including as a label for the folder, as one
might imagine. Why does the setup and mail account dialog provide a field
for the Display Name, when it never appears to be used?

Thanks,

Richard


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[Brian Tillman]

Thank you for the reply, Sue. If I understand correctly, not only
will the server contents be downloaded, but the server will be
modified (synchronized) based on changes made in Outlook. However,
what if we move messages within Outlook to a new folder rather than
deleting the messages? Does the server interprete a move out of the
Outlook INBOX as a delete?

Only if the folder is not on the server but in a local PST. Then you are
moving the mesage from the server to a local folder, removing it from the
server completely.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I suspect it's used as the From name for email messages sent from your MSN
account.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Richard Wilkinson]

Thank you for the reply, Brian. Are you inferring that messages in the
Outlook MSN inbox are not actually in Outlook, but only exist as headers of
messages on the server? Do messages only truly reside in Outlook after they
are moved from the inbox to another folder?

Thanks

Richard


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[Richard Wilkinson]

Thank you for your help Sue!

Richard

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[Richard Wilkinson]

Sue,

Just another observation. We have just found that we cannot circumvent the
OUTLOOK CONNECTOR to MSN. Once the connector is integrated any MSN account
added as an HTTP mail account is intercepted by the connector which takes
over control of the mail account. As such, we don't even have any
alternative of adding an MSN account as an HTTP account which would provide
us with some traditional control. The exasperating thing is that it
handicaps our ability to do simple basics like renaming folders that display
in the Outlook folder panel. Wish they would not handicap existing
functionality when they introduce a new feature!

Thanks,
Richard

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