One email address-multiple computers?

[Rudderman]

I have an unusual question about Outlook.<br />Here is my set up.<br /><br />I have 3 computers on a network.<br />I have one email address.<br /><br />I want to have all of the computers coming up with the exact same messages in the inbox, sent items, address book etc, so that everyone can use the same email address and also view the same sent messages, inbox etc.<br /><br />Is it possible?

 

[alderman]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

I'll have to check on that one. I know I access three e-mail accounts from one computer using outlook, don't know about the reverse. I will check with my computer wiz and let you know.<br />Ray

 

[Mark42]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

I do that on a two pc network in my house. I use ATT Worldnet internet service and had to install their software on each machine. Then log onto my account on their website and change my mail options so that mail is retained on their server for 30 days before being deleted, even if downloaded. That way as long as each PC accesses the mail server within a 30 day cycle, they will get the same mail delivered as if it was only a single account. If one PC does not access the mail account for more than 30 days, it will lose access to the mail older than 30 days because it was deleted on the ATT server. <br /><br />I didn't have to use 30 days, I could have chosen 10, but then each PC would have to check for mail every 10 days. For me, 30 days worked well.<br /><br />I'm sure that if you contact your ISP they will tell you how to do it.<br /><br />Mark

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

Dead easy to set up mail a/c's for each computer.<br />With each computer set up a new mail a/c mirroring your primary computer's details.<br />As Mark says in the post above check the options for the mail to hold on the server for the required days delay.<br />That way you can keep a complete record of all your mail inbox on your primary unit. Just remember that the greater number of days the longer it is held and that may affect your a/c if you have a small limit on what your mail provider permits in capacity on their server.<br />The system works well. <br />I use a laptop on a LAN in the office as well as using it with a cellular dial up when mobile and can also access my mail from my home PC on dial up and broadband if required.<br />Good luck.<br />Peter

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

Setting the server retention to 30 days, and instructing the mail software to leave a copy on the server satisifes only a portion of the original request (the inbox).<br /><br />How can 3 computers maintain exactly the same "sent items, address book etc...." ?

 

[Mark42]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

AMD,<br /><br />Regarding the rest of your needs....<br /><br />your screwed.<br /><br />Mark.

 

[chuckz]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

One way I found to synchronize Outlook address books is:<br />1. Export the address book from each computer as a windows comma delimited file.<br /><br />2. In each computer import the file ignoring duplicate files.<br /><br />It works and is not as tedious as it sounds. If you can put the data files on a common access point, it's even easier.<br /><br />Another way is to use your PDA to synchronize everything. I use Beyond Contacts by Data Viz. It works very well.

 

[Rudderman]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

Thanks for all the responses. Unfortunately the people who are going to be using this system are not whizzkids on the computer....actually they barely know how to send an email! I was ideally looking for a low-maintenance solution. IMAP (leaving the messages on the server for 30 days) is not an option with the email provider I'm dealing with.<br />I thought maybe someone would know of a network add-on for outlook that would do the job (something to automatically and inconspicuously synchronise the .pst file on each computer)

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

AMD, Regarding the rest of your needs....your screwed.

lol...thanks Mark. <br />They're not MY needs, I was just trying to get the rest of Rudderman's question repeated to see if it was actually possible to sync the sent mail & address books "easily".

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

Look at this link...there is some utility to sync outlook and there maight be a way to automate (on login/logoff) importing/exporting the outlook files using breifcase. <br /><br /> http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/sync.htm <br /><br />-Will

 

[Xcusme]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

Why use Outlook at all?? Wouldn't it be easier to use Webmail?? One central place to send and receive emails, it's just one mail account anyway.<br /><br />Any number of computers can log in to see new emails and a folder to see what was sent. The address book would be available for all to see as well.<br /><br />Another advantage would be that you are able to see emails on the mail server before downloading into your machine. This would help to identify possible viral attachments before you bring them into your machine.

 

[aspeck]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

I have about the same situation. On my main computer I ask it to remove the messages after 10 days. On the other 2, I ask it to leave the messages there. That way I have 10 days to get to any of my other computers and make sure everything is downloaded. It works well for me.<br /><br />I am using Netscape right now, but I used Outlook before and did the same thing.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

I do exactly as you are wanting to do!<br />It isn't that difficult and you don't have to use webmail.<br /><br />Your computers are already networked, as you said earlier, so here is how I did it.<br /><br />COPY, not cut, your pst file into a shared folder that all three computers have access to.<br />Mine is in "Shared Documents, blah, blah, blah."<br />Open Outlook on one of the computers, click on<br />File,<br />Open,<br />Outlook Data File<br />Find the location and open that file.<br />Then click on<br />Tools,<br />E-mail Accounts<br />make sure "View or Change existing accounts is selected" and click Next<br />Use the dropDown menu to select the delivery location for e-mail. They should be listed in the same order as they are shown in Outlook. (This is important because they will have the same name. i.e. when you click the dropdown it will look like<br /><br />Personal Folders<br />Personal Folders<br /><br />Select the second one, or appropriate as you have them named.<br />(One easy way to tell the difference, is to right click on the new one [shared folder] and click on Properties, Advanced, and change the name before you set the delivery location.)<br /><br />Close Outlook and re-open. Right click on the lower Personal Folders. (The old one) and select "Close Personal Folders" <br /><br />Repeat the process on the other computers.<br />The only drawback is that only one can have the e-mail open at a time.<br />Did seem to play havoc with my address book and rules. So they may have to be redone.<br /><br />Good Luck, and if you have any questions, I will give you my e-mail addy.<br />AK Chappy

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

Rudderman,<br />Did one of these suggestions work for you?<br /><br /><br />AK Chappy

 

[Rudderman]

Re: One email address-multiple computers?

AK Chappy, I found a program called SynchPST that synchronises the entire pst file over a LAN. I may just install that program and get them to run it every so often to synchronise their emails.<br /><br />Thanks for your idea, it would work only for the fact that they would give me crap about not being able to open more than one Outlook at a time!