Explanation of "on this machine only" in rules

[Chris]

Hi Group
In rules and alerts, the option exists to apply rules "on this machine
only". Does this have any significance or use for a POP mail user?
Tia
Chris

 

[Brian Tillman]

In rules and alerts, the option exists to apply rules "on this machine
only". Does this have any significance or use for a POP mail user?

For a POP user, it probably has no significance.

 

[I live on Quicken and Outlook]

For a POP user, it probably has no significance.

Why is that so?

How can I modify the Rules Wizard so that when it generates a rule
based on an existing message (not starting from scratch), the On This
Machine only box is not checked?

 

[Brian Tillman]

Why is that so?

Because that setting is used to limit the scope of a rule that resides in an
Exchange mailbox accessed from more than one machine. Moreover, a POP user
is unlikely to move a PST containing rules to another machine (unless it's
for upgrade purposes). I realize that those who want to sync a desktop and
a laptop may, but the rule can be adjusted when the move occurs.

 

[I live on Quicken and Outlook]

Because that setting is used to limit the scope of a rule that resides in an
Exchange mailbox accessed from more than one machine. Moreover, a POP user

OK. Sounds like the way that IMAP4 behaves. Does Exchange also
support IMAP4?

is unlikely to move a PST containing rules to another machine (unless it's
for upgrade purposes). I realize that those who want to sync a desktop and
a laptop may, but the rule can be adjusted when the move occurs.

In fact, I have precisely this situation. That is why I'm seeking a
way to configure Outlook to not check this box by default.

 

[Swifty]

In fact, I have precisely this situation. That is why I'm seeking a

way to configure Outlook to not check this box by default.

For me, the worst aspect of that check box is that it becomes checked after
you have left the dialog where you could uncheck it, so you are continually
forced to back-track in order to unset it.

 

[I live on Quicken and Outlook]

For me, the worst aspect of that check box is that it becomes checked after
you have left the dialog where you could uncheck it, so you are continually
forced to back-track in order to unset it.

Eggsackally!

 

[Brian Tillman]

OK. Sounds like the way that IMAP4 behaves. Does Exchange also
support IMAP4?

Exchange can be an IMAP server, yes.

In fact, I have precisely this situation. That is why I'm seeking a
way to configure Outlook to not check this box by default.

There are some rules that MUST be tagged with that flag. In fact, if you're
not hooked up to an Exchange server, ALL rules become, effectively, "on this
machine only", since all become client-side rules. Not all client-side
rules get the "on this machine only" flag, but unless the rule is a
server-side rule, it will contain somewhere in the overhead data of its
definition the name of the machine on which it is defined. For a discussion
of server- vs. client-side rules, see
http://www.slipstick.com/rules/serverbased.htm

 

[I live on Quicken and Outlook]

Exchange can be an IMAP server, yes.


There are some rules that MUST be tagged with that flag. In fact, if you're
not hooked up to an Exchange server, ALL rules become, effectively, "on this
machine only", since all become client-side rules. Not all client-side
rules get the "on this machine only" flag, but unless the rule is a
server-side rule, it will contain somewhere in the overhead data of its
definition the name of the machine on which it is defined. For a discussion
of server- vs. client-side rules, see
http://www.slipstick.com/rules/serverbased.htm

Brian,

All your points are well-taken.

I use a desktop machine at home and a laptop away from home, and I
shuffle Outlook files back and forth. The PST file is no problem.
However, if I EXPORT rules on one machine, and then import that file
on the other, the rules are pretty screwed up overall. Is that a
consequence of the "this machine only" flag?

Also, is Exchange strictly speaking supporting RFC-legal IMAP4, or a
Microsoft variant that would not be compatible with other clients and
servers?

 

[Brian Tillman]

I use a desktop machine at home and a laptop away from home, and I
shuffle Outlook files back and forth. The PST file is no problem.
However, if I EXPORT rules on one machine, and then import that file
on the other, the rules are pretty screwed up overall. Is that a
consequence of the "this machine only" flag?

Each rule, in addition to the conditions and actions, contains an indication
of the machine used to define it. When importing on another machine, this
information, naturally, doesn't match. One should, however, be able to
update the rule quite simply by, for example, rechoosing the folder, which
should rewrite the rule so that it will work on the current machine.

Also, is Exchange strictly speaking supporting RFC-legal IMAP4, or a
Microsoft variant that would not be compatible with other clients and
servers?

That I can't answer, but I can't imaging it won't work with other IMAP
clients. I know for a fact that it works with Netscape clients on Linux and
Solaris machines.

 

[I live on Quicken and Outlook]

Each rule, in addition to the conditions and actions, contains an indication
of the machine used to define it. When importing on another machine, this
information, naturally, doesn't match. One should, however, be able to
update the rule quite simply by, for example, rechoosing the folder, which
should rewrite the rule so that it will work on the current machine.

Brian,

I've have updated rules the way you describe. However, that approach
doesn't scale very well. Imagine 40+ rules!

I would go further and say that MS needs to improve the ease-of-use in
the whole RULES area. I can't find any way to print or to mass-edit
rules, for example.

ILOO

 

[Brian Tillman]

I would go further and say that MS needs to improve the ease-of-use in
the whole RULES area. I can't find any way to print or to mass-edit
rules, for example.

Make a wish. Write to outwish at microsoft dot com.

 

[I live on Quicken and Outlook]

Make a wish. Write to outwish at microsoft dot com.

Thanks so much. I CERTAINLY will write to the Outlook team at MS.
Maybe I can even convince them to make me a beta site.