Using Outlook and sharing data files

[Snapper]

I'm not sure if this is in the right NG. If not apologies, but it is related to
Windows XP, sort of.

I have Outlook 2007 installed on 3 computers on my home LAN. One install is on
my desktop PC. Another install is on our laptop which is used by all members in
the household. The third PC is used by my wife, exclusively.

I want to be able to share mailboxes, contacts etc between my desktop PC and
that of the laptop. I have experimented with IMAP but failed miserably.

So, I was wondering how to set share folders or something similar in Windows so
that when I log into the laptop and open Outlook it will search for the data
files on my desktop PC.

Presumably, too that Outlook on the desktop will need to be closed when
accessing the data from the laptop.

Thanks.

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

I'm not sure if this is in the right NG. If not apologies, but it is
related to
Windows XP, sort of.

I have Outlook 2007 installed on 3 computers on my home LAN. One install
is on
my desktop PC. Another install is on our laptop which is used by all
members in
the household. The third PC is used by my wife, exclusively.

I want to be able to share mailboxes, contacts etc between my desktop PC
and
that of the laptop. I have experimented with IMAP but failed miserably.

So, I was wondering how to set share folders or something similar in
Windows so
that when I log into the laptop and open Outlook it will search for the
data
files on my desktop PC.

Presumably, too that Outlook on the desktop will need to be closed when
accessing the data from the laptop.

I'd be interested in being able to share the Outlook.pst file over network
as well.

But you might be interested in trying out the beta for Office Live
Workspace. I am thinking of giving it a go.

http://workspace.officelive.com/

ss.

 

[Gordon]

So, I was wondering how to set share folders or something similar in Windows so
that when I log into the laptop and open Outlook it will search for the data
files on my desktop PC.

Microsoft does not either recommend, or support, accessing pst files
over a network. it is the quickest and most frequent way of corrupting
your pst file. (I speak from experience). It CAN be done, but on your
own head be it.
maybe something here will help:

http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/share.htm

 

[DL]

MS Doesnt support the use of a pst over a network as it can lead to
corruption

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

I'd be interested in being able to share the Outlook.pst file over network
as well.

But you might be interested in trying out the beta for Office Live
Workspace. I am thinking of giving it a go.

http://workspace.officelive.com/

ss.

Putting PST files on a network share is not supported or encouraged:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/297019/

 

[Snapper]

Synapse Syndrome wrote...

But you might be interested in trying out the beta for Office Live
Workspace. I am thinking of giving it a go.

Interesting concept, I s'pose. However, it's only any good if you have an
internet connection. If you're constantly mobile there may be times when you
won't have one.

I'm more interested in sharing Outlook data, mailboxes, calendar and contacts
info between machines rather than between sites. I don't have problems accessing
documents, spreadsheets or databases across the network and it's not hard to
back that data up to a thumbdrive as I use them, either.

Thanks anyway for the link.

 

[Snapper]

Gordon wrote...

maybe something here will help:

http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/share.htm

Thanks Gordon. Had a quick look but at first glance it only refers to sharing
Outlook data on one PC rather than across a LAN.

I set up a second install on a laptop then under the email settings you can
change the PST file. I then tried to find the PST file on my desktop where
OL2007 is installed. Unfortunately I could not see the directory. It's probably
hidden from view across the LAN.

How easy is it to set up Exchange Server? And other than being overkill for home
use, can it be used to retrieve email from our ISP's POP servers and to send
email to them?

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

Interesting concept, I s'pose. However, it's only any good if you have an
internet connection. If you're constantly mobile there may be times when
you
won't have one.

I'm more interested in sharing Outlook data, mailboxes, calendar and
contacts
info between machines rather than between sites. I don't have problems
accessing
documents, spreadsheets or databases across the network and it's not hard
to
back that data up to a thumbdrive as I use them, either.

Well, Outlook is very much an internet application. If you do not have
internet access, there is not much point in using Outlook. I reckon it must
still use the .pst file to cache anyway, in the same way that Exchange does.

I and mobile with a laptop too, and I think that this might be ideal for
what I want to do. At the moment I am using Outlook on my desktop through
Remote Desktop. Office Live Workspace will be a much nicer solution I
think.

I signed up for the trial, but it looks like it might take a while for them
to give access to other countries outside the US, although English speaking
countries like the UK and Australia will probably get access before
countries with other languages.

ss.

 

[Snapper]

Synapse Syndrome wrote...

Well, Outlook is very much an internet application. If you do not have

The email side of things, perhaps. But the calendar, contacts, tasks, etc. don't
need a 'net connection.

 

[Gordon]

How easy is it to set up Exchange Server? And other than being overkill
for home
use, can it be used to retrieve email from our ISP's POP servers and to
send
email to them?

If you don't need to share Calendars, then there are some free mail server
applications you can use...

have a look here:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=free+Mail+server&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

 

[Snapper]

Gordon wrote...

If you don't need to share Calendars, then there are some free mail server
applications you can use...

thanks. But if I'm going to try this I would want to share all Outlook data,
inc. contacts, emails, mailboxes and calendar data.

 

[Kenneth]

I'm not sure if this is in the right NG. If not apologies, but it is related to
Windows XP, sort of.

I have Outlook 2007 installed on 3 computers on my home LAN. One install is on
my desktop PC. Another install is on our laptop which is used by all members in
the household. The third PC is used by my wife, exclusively.

I want to be able to share mailboxes, contacts etc between my desktop PC and
that of the laptop. I have experimented with IMAP but failed miserably.

So, I was wondering how to set share folders or something similar in Windows so
that when I log into the laptop and open Outlook it will search for the data
files on my desktop PC.

Presumably, too that Outlook on the desktop will need to be closed when
accessing the data from the laptop.

Thanks.

Howdy,

You might want to check:

http://www.publicshareware.com/index.php

I have used it for years without a hitch.

All the best,

 

[Snapper]

You might want to check:

http://www.publicshareware.com/index.php

I have used it for years without a hitch.

All the best,

Thanks.

It looks a bit complex for me. I'm looking at the PublicSyncTool program.
Just trying to figure out whether it is installed on all PCs that I want
to sync Outlook data with or whether I install it on one PC and sync all
the others with it.

 

[Kenneth]

Thanks.

It looks a bit complex for me. I'm looking at the PublicSyncTool program.
Just trying to figure out whether it is installed on all PCs that I want
to sync Outlook data with or whether I install it on one PC and sync all
the others with it.

Hello again,

I had less luck with the sync tool, but in any case, it can
only be used if you have PublicShareFolder.

All the best,

 

[Snapper]

Kenneth wrote...

I had less luck with the sync tool, but in any case, it can
only be used if you have PublicShareFolder.

Oh. I'm not sure how to set one of them up. Currently I use Outlook for
email, contacts for email, etc. and the calendar for appointments. I sync
Outlook (contacts and calendar) with a Palm Treo running Windows Mobile 6.
But that may be swapped for a PalmOS TX PDA soon.