Vista - Syncing Outlook on several computers + ActiveSync for PDA

I have FolderShare syncing Outlook calendar on 4 computers using the method
described in the FAQ, namely treating one as a "server" to sync in the
Outlook data directory, and defining a folder on each of the others to have a
copy that is accessed as a "Personal Calendar". The problem is that I also
want to sync my PDA with two of these computers using ActiveSync. It will
sync ok with the "server" because the Outlook.pst file is where it should be,
but on the other the Outlook.pst in the default directory is not being
updated by FolderShare and is way out of date - causing all sorts of
problems. I can't find any way of merging calendars in Outlook, and I
cannot copy the personal calendar back to the Outlook default directory
because FolderShare has a lock on it.
Any suggestions?

Derel

The hard reality is that Outlook was designed to be a single-client system.
I've done exactly what you're trying, and it's nothing but a constant source
of frustrating. I was only willing to put up with so much, and eventually
decided that my sanity was worth more than $10 per month. ;-) Hosted
Exchange is the proper way to do multi-client Outlook. Check out
www.sherweb.com or www.4smartphone.com for options.

Here's how I solved the problem - and it seems to work well:
I wrote a 3 line batch file on each of the "non-server" computers that

1) copies the outlook.pst file from the FolderShare folder to Outlook's
working directory,
(C:\Docs&Settings\yourname\LocalSettings\ApplicationData\Microsoft\Outlook)
then
2) runs Outlook, and when you exit
3) it copies the new Outlook.pst back to the FolderShare directory (where
it is broadcast to all of the other computers via FolderShare.

(I am thinking of adding a line to copy Outlook.pst to a backup directory,
just in case something gets messed up.)

I then invoke Outlook using a shortcut to the .bat file. Has worked
successfully over the past day or so.

Derek


"Jason Dunn" wrote:

"Jason Dunn" <www@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:O7azvXtfIHA.5164@xxxxxxdo u use one of these
if so which one
can they host my domain's email for me? how complicated would it be to have
all my email from my address to come through this account

"Derek" <Derek@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6A105DF8-E1C1-47EF-95D2-61DA811666A1@xxxxxxI've done a few BAT files a long time ago. Could you post your file's
contents here.

> do u use one of these if so which one can they host my domain's email forI use 4smartphone myself - it works great. I can sit down at any of my PCs
or laptops, open Outlook, and have all my updates stream down - I never have
to fuss with PST files. It's truly a think of beauty, and most people don't
realize how amazing it is until they try it.
The easiest way would be to sign up then forward your email addresses to
your Exchange account - they'll give you an "internal" email address that
you can forward stuff to, but you'd pick one email address as your outgoing
email address.

- Jason

There are several third party alternatives which don't need exchange or any
other server. My favorite: OsaSync (www.vaita.com).

"Derek" wrote:

I use Plaxo - which sync's my Calendar, Contacts and Tasks between multiple
computers

"Ronald" wrote:

Do you have problems with Outlook downloading the same messages twice? When
a second computer downloads messages to a pst file that had been used with
another computer, it downloads all the old messages again. I haven't figured
out how to prevent this. Any suggestions?

"Derek" wrote: