Email using Outlook on home network as server/client?

[Lobster]

At present we have two PCs on my home network (one for the kids and
one for mum and dad). Each PC runs Outlook 2000, logging in
independently to the ISPs server; so we have a .pst file on each PC.

I now wish to add another PC to the network (so mum and dad have one
each), and would like to change our email arrangements so all the
email is stored on a separate dedicated machine (I have an old used
pentium 233 which I think would do?) and the family could login and
access their email independently from whichever machine - would be
much more flexible.

How would I go about setting this up - can I do it using Outlook
2000/Express, or would I need other software? I'm sure there must be
resources on the web for this, but I can't find any...

Thanks
David

 

[BillR [MVP]]

you can get some ideas via:
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/sync.htm

An option is to have the PSTs stored on one machine and accessible via the
network from others.
There are possible issues you should be aware of. refer here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222339&Product=out2K

Essentially, you could move the PST to the Network location then set Outlook
on all machines to use that PST. I really wouldn't recommend it.