Sharing Outlook 2000 over a network

R

Roy N.

I need to access my outlook data from Outlook running on a remote computer.
I need to be able to manipulate the data from the remote machine so that
when I am on the host machine the changes are instant and seamless.

I have seen several programs on CNET which allow you to do the very thing I
seek to do. Does anyone have experience with these programs? Are there any
that you would recommend or recommand against?

My biggest fear is data corruption. The worst thing that could happen is for
one of these programs to corrupt my data and make it useless/inaccessible.

Please advise. Thank you in advance.
 
T

Thomas Quester

Products based on MAPI sharing such as our OutlookFolders are techncally
unable to destroy data since only legal, documented API is used by both
server and client.
In MAPIs (the database engine used by Outlook) view, the server behaves like
a normal email client which is reading, writing and sending messages. MAPI
by design allows multiple applications to access data at the same time, this
is for example used by many Add-Ins and applications, such as Outlook
Address book, WinWord, Access (while accessing Exchange data), and many 3rd
party applications based on MAPI or CDO. The client is simply forwarding all
requests to the server which executes the MAPI command locally and sends the
result back. Data can be destroyed only if a user at the network is
permentently deleting folders, elements or fields or if the pst file or hard
disk is damaged (same risk as using the data locally).

Thomas Quester
www.outlookfolders.com
 
R

Roy N.

For the record, I am very familiar with the slipstick.com site. I've tried
searching past newsgroup posts, and everytime someone asks my questions
he/she is referred to slipstick.com.

I'm looking for first hand experience here. I want to hear from people who
can recommend a specific program or a specific strategy. I'm not looking for
a laundry list of applications that may/may not work well.
 
R

Roy N.

This product looks interesting, but I do not see a price on the website. How
much for the basic version?

Also, please explain this which I found on your website:
The minimal system for a server is Windows 95 with windows messaging
installed. This old version of MAPI (Windows Messaging) is sufficient as a
server environment for all versions of Outlook. Though the Exchange Client
is very old, you will not be able to see contacts, calendar, appointments
etc. on your server machine.

On a better system, the comfort and performance increases. On all version of
NT, it is possible to run OutlookFolders as a service, enabling clients to
access it without requiring anyone to log on to the server, just start the
machine and have access.

I do not have NT, I have Win98. Does that mean I will not be able to see
contacts, calendar, appointments etc.? If not, what is the point of using
Outlook Folders on anything below NT?

Also, if I am using Outlook Folders, will I be able to change data on the
host computer or only access the data?

Thank you.
 
C

Chris Lineback [MSFT]

Depending on your version of Outlook, it
is possible to share .pst data, without an Exchange server, using the Net
Folders feature. Here are the articles you will need to get started:

195867 OL2000: How to Use Net Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=195867

229962 OL2000: Troubleshooting Net Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=229962

Net Folders is only supported in Outlook 2000. So the "sharing" process
requires all parties use only Outlook 2000. Net Folders uses hidden Rich
Text e-mail messages to replicate .pst data, and it has some limits, so
please read the above articles in detail. Furthermore, if your ISP , or
any network hops along the path between the shares, do not support Microsoft
Rich Text (specifically TNEF) then the Net Folder share may fail to
replicate any/all/some data.


--
Hope that helps!!

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Chris Lineback, MCSE
Microsoft Enterprise Messaging Support

- Please do not send email directly to this alias. This alias is for
newsgroup purposes only.
-This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
 
T

Thomas Quester

The price is can be viewed at the order page, it starts by 86,16 Euro (99,95
USD).

The text you mention means that all versions of MAPI will do for storing
data. The MAPI interface was designed by Microsoft about 10 years ago in a
such perfect way that it was not nessary to modify or extend the interface
until now. As soon as you install Outlook, you will be able to see
everything correctly.

Thomas Quester
www.outlookfolders.com
 
D

Doug Clark

Is there a similar way to share Office 2000 Outlook data with Office 2003
Outlook? My versions...
Win 98: 2000 SR-1 9.0.0.3821
Win XP: 2003 11.5608.5606

If not, what product would you recommend I switch to? I have heard good
things about ACT, but have never used it.

Thanks in advance...
Doug
 
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