change Entourage file location?

[David Newman]

To simplify backups, I would like to have Entourage read from a "Microsoft
User Data" folder on a server rather than on the local machine.

How can I do this? I don't see any way to change file locations, something I
was able to do with Outlook on Windows.

thanks

dn

OS 10.4.3, Office 2004 Pro, Powerbook G4, using Entourage to talk with
FreeBSD based IMAPS/SMTP server

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

To simplify backups, I would like to have Entourage read from a "Microsoft
User Data" folder on a server rather than on the local machine.

How can I do this? I don't see any way to change file locations, something I
was able to do with Outlook on Windows.

You can do it rather easily: move the folder wherever you want and
create an alias back in the original location. I'm not sure I'd do that
though.
- network servers have a much lower access speed than local drives
- the network volume HAS to be mounted all the time
- if ever there is the slightest glitch on the network, you can lose the
whole thing...

I try to never ever work off a network drive. I copy files to and from
them, but tha'ts it. I've been burnt before...

Corentin

 

[David Newman]

You can do it rather easily: move the folder wherever you want and
create an alias back in the original location. I'm not sure I'd do that
though.
- network servers have a much lower access speed than local drives
- the network volume HAS to be mounted all the time
- if ever there is the slightest glitch on the network, you can lose the
whole thing...

I have two different systems with Entourage on them and would like to have
each use the same database (one at a time). Will this method work for them?
If not, are there any other methods to change where Entourage looks for the
database?

No worries about access speed; this is on a lightly loaded gigabit Ethernet
LAN.

dn

 

[matt neuburg]

I have two different systems with Entourage on them and would like to have
each use the same database (one at a time). Will this method work for them?
If not, are there any other methods to change where Entourage looks for the
database?

You might be saying you'd like to have two different computers sharing
the same message store. It was for this very purpose that the IMAP
protocol was invented: messages are stored on the server, and
manipulated from the client. Entourage does IMAP, so all you need is an
email server that does IMAP. A common choice is mac.com.

Alternatively, you might be saying you'd like to walk from one computer
to another and take the message store with you. In that case, just copy
the message store between computers. That in fact is what I do. As long
as you always know which computer has custody of the store, and you
don't check your mail from the other computer accidentally, there's no
problem. m.

 

[Barry Wainwright [MVP]]

I have two different systems with Entourage on them and would like to have
each use the same database (one at a time). Will this method work for them?
If not, are there any other methods to change where Entourage looks for the
database?

No worries about access speed; this is on a lightly loaded gigabit Ethernet
LAN.

dn

Yes, it will work, but is fraught with dangers.

Interaction with the database is carried out by the invisible 'Microsoft
Database Daemon' This daemon is always active whenever any office app is
open, and usually even when they are not.

The dangers of the same database being accessed by two different daemons on
two different machines don't bear thinking about.

If you _always_ shut one machine down before booting the other, you may get
away with it. Otherwise, you risk irreparably damaging the database.

My advice: Don't do it!

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

My advice: Don't do it!

I second that. Use IMAP as Matt suggested.
I would avoid using the same database at all cost.


Corentin

 

[David Newman]

I second that. Use IMAP as Matt suggested.

message store != Entourage database

As noted in my original post, I *am* using IMAP. It's not the message store
I'm looking to replicate; that's already on a server.

Rather, it's messages PLUS all the other stuff Entourage carries around --
contacts, calendar appointments, notes, tasks, and the like.

On Outlook for Windows, I am able to put the outlook.pst file anywhere I
want, and then point to it.

My question is whether Entourage can similarly be configured where to look
for its database.

thanks!

dn

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

message store != Entourage database

As noted in my original post, I *am* using IMAP. It's not the message store
I'm looking to replicate; that's already on a server.

Rather, it's messages PLUS all the other stuff Entourage carries around --
contacts, calendar appointments, notes, tasks, and the like.

On Outlook for Windows, I am able to put the outlook.pst file anywhere I
want, and then point to it.

My question is whether Entourage can similarly be configured where to look
for its database.

You cannot do what Outlook does with PST. You cannot tell the app to
look in a store to find calendar, contacts, and use them in a shared
way etc.

Corentin

 

[Barry Wainwright [MVP]]

message store != Entourage database

As noted in my original post, I *am* using IMAP. It's not the message store
I'm looking to replicate; that's already on a server.

Rather, it's messages PLUS all the other stuff Entourage carries around --
contacts, calendar appointments, notes, tasks, and the like.

On Outlook for Windows, I am able to put the outlook.pst file anywhere I
want, and then point to it.

My question is whether Entourage can similarly be configured where to look
for its database.

As I answered, yes you could do it. If you are only using one computer to
access the identity there is no problem at all in moving it to a different
place and using an alias to redirect the application to the data. The danger
comes in using two computers to access the same data. That is what I warned
against.