unicode vs. non-unicode ? re OL2003

[Nella]

I'm about to begin using OL2003 on a freestanding desktop PC; no MS Exchange
Server involved and have a question concerning the new unicode PST format
introduced in OL2003. So far, I'm using the default PST file created by
OL2003 when I installed the program; I assume it is in the unicode format.

Apparently there is an option to use a unicode PST format in the OL2003
context IF MS Exchange Server is involved. But what about if MS Exchange
Server is not involved, such as my case?

I don't need the Multilanguage unicode support available in OL2003 and the
greater file size, folder size flexibility of the unicode PST format in
OL2003 doesn't seem critical to have (I can always archive a non-unicode PST
file before it gets too big, say over 1/2 GB, with the increased chance of
corruption). In my situation, do I even have the option, and if I do, is
it worth considering exercising that option, to configure my new OL2003 PST
file to be non-unicode? Nella

 

[Nella]

I just realized I left out a paragraph from my first post, as follows:

The reason I'm asking about the unicode option, if any exists in my
situation, is because I want to have my non-unicode (ANSI?) PST file (from
my OL2000 installation on another computer) available as an archive PST
under OL2003, and be able to view messages in both PST files's folder trees
in one OL2003 session. However, I don't plan on moving messages from
folders showing in my ANSI PST's folder tree to folders showing in my
unicode PST's folder tree, and vice versa; that's a "no-no," right? Nella

 

[Ben M. Schorr - MVP]

There's no reason to configure a PST to be non-unicode unless you need
backwards compatibility with a pre-OL2003 installation.

Use the Unicode PST file -- it's more stable, less filling and tastes great.


--
Aloha,

-Ben-
Ben M. Schorr, OneNote-MVP
Roland Schorr & Tower
http://www.rolandschorr.com
Microsoft OneNote FAQ: http://www.factplace.com/onenotefaq.htm

**I apologize but I am unable to respond to direct requests for assistance.
Please post questions and replies here in the newsgroup. Mahalo!

 

[Ben M. Schorr - MVP]

You can move back and forth between them without penalty or fear of
reprisal. If you're not going to add to the non-unicode PST file you can
leave it as is and access it as needed.

Use Unicode for all new PST files or PST files you plan to add significant
content to, however.


--
Aloha,

-Ben-
Ben M. Schorr, OneNote-MVP
Roland Schorr & Tower
http://www.rolandschorr.com
Microsoft OneNote FAQ: http://www.factplace.com/onenotefaq.htm

**I apologize but I am unable to respond to direct requests for assistance.
Please post questions and replies here in the newsgroup. Mahalo!

 

[Nella]

Ben,

Thanks for both your speedy replies and good humor.

When you said the new unicode PST format was more stable, that clinched the
deal for me (even though backward compatibility would be nice, it's not as
important as stability is to me).

I'm going "unicode" for the new PST file, which will hold all my new items,
and keep my non-unicode PST file strictly for viewing within OL2003 but not
to add to in any form, shape or manner.

Any idea if moving (or copying) an item from a folder within the unicode
PST's folder tree to a folder within the archived ANSI PST's folder tree
will crash OL2003 or corrupt either PST? I'm not going to try it, it's not
worth the risk of allowing Murphy's Law to occur, rather am just curious.

I appreciate your advice. Nella

 

[Brian Tillman]

Any idea if moving (or copying) an item from a folder within the
unicode PST's folder tree to a folder within the archived ANSI PST's
folder tree will crash OL2003 or corrupt either PST?

There's no chance of that. Outlook 2003 uses both formats with equal
facility.

 

[Ben M. Schorr - MVP]

Any idea if moving (or copying) an item from a folder within the unicode
PST's folder tree to a folder within the archived ANSI PST's folder tree
will crash OL2003 or corrupt either PST? I'm not going to try it, it's
not
worth the risk of allowing Murphy's Law to occur, rather am just curious.

I appreciate your advice. Nella

Brian is absolutely right -- you should notice no difference or problems
going back and forth between them. I'd just try to do more forth and less
back -- i.e. don't add much new content to the non-Unicode PSTs if you can
help it. Only because the bigger they get the slower and less stable they
are.


--
Aloha,

-Ben-
Ben M. Schorr, OneNote-MVP
Roland Schorr & Tower
http://www.rolandschorr.com
Microsoft OneNote FAQ: http://www.factplace.com/onenotefaq.htm

**I apologize but I am unable to respond to direct requests for assistance.
Please post questions and replies here in the newsgroup. Mahalo!

 

[Nella]

Brian,

Thanks for giving me that good news. Nella.