Personal Folders: Can they be shared on a network? 3

[JenniferJade]

I would like to be able to share Personal Folders in Outlook. Due to the limited storage on our exchange server, I have been moving older e-mails to be stored locally.

While I am still able to access these emails for reference, the other user on our exchange server can no longer view them because they are in my Personal Folders.

So here is the dilema: these e-mails need to be moved out of the exchange server mailbox, however they still need to be accessible in Outlook by both myself and the other user. How can this be accomplished, or am I out of luck?

Thanks.

-Jenn

P.S. setting up my own exchange server is not an option at this point ...

 

[58sniper]

Officially, you're out of luck. There are some third party programs that report to give you this functionality.

MS does not support networked .pst files. They are designed to be on your local workstation.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[Zelandakh]

the other user"? There is only 2 of you and you are out of space?

Exchange Standard is 16GB of store. If you both share stuff, that is a lot!!

Use the public folders for a start, that is what they are there for - you can then share between you and it keeps your mailboxes smaller.

 

[JenniferJade]

Wow. 16GB of storage would be nice. We currently only have 100MB each and our combined usage was 2.5 gigs last month, hence we were sent a bill for over $500 dollars for the overusage.

If we did have more users, it might be convenient to host our own exchange server, but as there are only two of us at the moment, we have to put up with these ridiculous mailbox allocations and pricing.

I should probably start shopping around ... any suggestions?

Also, are the public folders stored on the exchage server by default? I checked the location, and I suspect that they are.

In the meantime, if I opened the .pst in the other user's Outlook, will it show up on his mail folders list? I'm new to this ... but I enjoy everything I'm learning from these forums

 

[Zelandakh]

Definitely change providers!! That is ridiculous. I don't know any Exchange hosters, sorry.

Don't try to open the PST in both user's Outlook - you'll corrupt it.

Your last line? Brilliant news. Keep learning.

 

[reynolwi]

try intermedia.net for exchange hosting. They are ranked i think in the Top 5 and they also have the new Exchange Server 2007 and you also get Outlook 2007 as a free download. They have a lot of features and are pretty cheap.

http://www.intermedia.net

Wm. Reynolds
RRWDS | TxPSS

http://www.rrwds.com

http://www.txpubsafety.com

- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Network Error:
Hit any user to continue

 

[Zelandakh]

Of course I *do* know a hoster - duh.

http://www.oneandone.com

- $7 a month and you get 1GB mailboxes each. Even with 1.5GB in a month the bill MUST be less than you've paid...

They have an excellent uptime and seem friendly enough on the surfing side (I don't use them for hosting email so can't comment).

 

[JenniferJade]

Thanks. I have been looking into the companies you've mentioned.

In the meantime, however, I'm getting a lot of pressure from my boss about his old emails that are now stored in my Personal Folders. Zelandakh--about your post that it would corrupt his outlook if I were to open my pst in his mail folder list, what exactly causes this? I had always thought a pst was for backing up email and could be used just as any backup is used. Thanks!

 

[58sniper]

.pst files are not supported across a network. Accessing them that way increases the chances of corruption.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[JenniferJade]

Would that still apply if I copied the .pst file to his local drive and opened it in Outlook from there instead of opening it from over the network?

I am supposed to find a resolution today, and you know how cranky execs get when they don't have full access to their emails, both past and present.

Is there anything else I can do to transfer his emails back to his computer without having to transfer them all back to the exchange server first?

 

[58sniper]

You could copy it locally.

Personal Folders are evil, and have not place in a properly configured Exchange environment. You'd be better off using Exmerge to import the .pst file into the mailbox in Exchange.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[JenniferJade]

Until I can arrange to switch providers, I just need to keep these 2+ GB of emails off of the exchange server so we're not being charged 500 dollars a month meanwhile still allow my boss to have access to his old emails.

Will try to the import from his local drive this afternoon. Wish me luck!

 

[Zelandakh]

PST files (the "if you really must use them" guide.

Keep them under 1.5GB.
Keep them local.
Don't be tempted to open them over the network.
Especially don't try 2 users into one PST.

Copy them beforehand otherwise you've got nothing left. PST. Evil.

Imagine taking all of your important papers from your life and putting them into a cardboard box. Then put that box into an acid bath.

Sooner or later it isn't a good plan any more.

 

[JenniferJade]

The last thing I want is to lose his "important" emails.

What are some other alternatives those icky evil often corruptable personal folders? Should I be reading up about .ost files?

 

[58sniper]

.ost files are nothing more than a local copy of the users' mailbox. Thus - if the mail isn't in their Exchange mailbox, it won't be in their .ost file.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[JenniferJade]

Everything seems to lead back to switching providers or hosting my own exchange.

Thanks everyone for the input!

 

[58sniper]

Both are good options.

A star for Zelandakh for his info on .pst files.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[JenniferJade]

In that case, I should thank the both of you for your time and effort.

I hope you enjoy your purple stars

Regards,

Jenn

 

[Zelandakh]

Jenn,
Definitely switch providers. Some are advertised on this site and some are advertised on msexchange.org. Also use google. You are being ripped off.

With under 20 users, I'd say definitely outsource, don't host your own.

Thanks for the star Pat

 

[fuego007]

Since you are using PSTs for "archiving", do as suggested above, and make regulare backups on DVD - every time content is added. Shred the old backups once you know the new ones are OK - for security. Also know that you cannot open a PST from a DVD or CD, as files on them are read-only and PSTs cannot be accessed as read-only. If you should ever have to restore from a DVD copy, simply change the attribute after copying to the local drive.