I have a desktop computer and a portable, both running Outlook Express
6 and using the same e-mail accounts.  I need to find an automated or
at least *simple* way to synchronise the contents of my folders
(important - also eliminating within folders all duplicate copies of
same message, a result of previous attempts to synchronise folders),
my address book, and the folders themselves.  In other words, when I
return from my travels I upload all the new messages, contacts and
folders from my portable to the desktop computer; before I go on my
trip, I upload all that's new onto my portable.  This way I have all
my messages in ONE place. If I could, I'd have all my account settings
with dial-up numbers etc. synchronised too. I use Laplink for file
transfer.

The question, can this by done by either a relatively simple (or
automated) procedure or is there is a shareware or low cost utility
out there somewhere that can handle this?

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Request for Question Clarification by inquisitive-ga on 21 Jul 2002 19:23 PDT

Hello ianga-ga,

What operating system are you using (on both computers)? Which version
of Outlook Express?

Thanks,

inquisitive-ga

There seems to be the perfect tool for you. It´s a shareware program
(size about 710 kb) that you can download and try for 30 days to find
out if it´s allright for you.

"ABF Outlook Express Backup is a backup/synchronization tool for
popular Outlook Express mail client. It allows backup and restoring
messages and folders, address book, settings, mail and news accounts,
message rules, blocked senders lists, and even signatures. All parts
can be processed either separately or together. The user can choose
the identity to save or restore data."
from:
( http://www.filehungry.com/index.php?action=viewitemdetails&id=6514 )

It has been rated ***** there by the editors. To use it later the
price of 29,95 seems to be moderate.
Version 1.1 includes support for the folowing operation systems:
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows 2000
Windows NT
Windows XP

The manufacturer´s home page gives some more info and screenshots of
the software´s simple interface that will probably make it easy to
use.
Features are:
"Allows to backup, restore, and synchronize: 
Messages and folders structure 
Address book 
Settings and options 
Email and news accounts 
Message rules 
Blocked senders list 
Signatures 
Internet favorites" 
from:
ABF Outlook Express Backup
( http://www.abfsoftware.com/products/OEBackup/page.html )


till-ga


Search Strategy:
( ://www.google.de/search?sourceid=navclient&hl=de&querytime=eXoOkB&q=Outlook+Express+6%2E0+laptop+desktop+synchronize
)

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Request for Answer Clarification by ianga-ga on 23 Jul 2002 05:32 PDT

I'm using Outlook Express 6 and Win 98 on one computer and Win ME on
the other, but did not mention O/S as I need something that will work
on all versions of Windows.  And I do need to find a way of
eliminating duplicate messages within my folders.

---

Clarification of Answer by till-ga on 23 Jul 2002 08:56 PDT

All common operating systems are on the list in my answer. I can´t
find out what should be missing. Are you still not satisfied with the
answer I´ve given ?

till-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by ianga-ga on 11 Aug 2002 21:30 PDT

I e-mailed the authors of Outlook Express Backup, suggested by
till-ga, with questions concerning the features I was looking for. 
They replied that folders would be overwritten not synchronised and
that there was no facility for removing duplicate messages.

So it seems that, having thought that my question was answered, it is
not.  Have you any further suggestions?

---

Clarification of Answer by till-ga on 12 Aug 2002 23:40 PDT

Sorry to hear that the specifications of ABF Outlook Express Backup do
not satisfy your requests.
Maybe the following software could be a better choice for your:
"The Email Duplicates Eliminator has these features: 
Allows you to either delete all the duplicates or move them to a
folder of your choice
Works with Exchange public folders or other shared folders 
Comparisons of two email messages (optionally) based on subject, body,
from address, to address, number of attachments, importance, send time
and receive time
You can choose to operate on a single folder or select many folders at
once"
from:
Email Duplicates Eliminator
( http://www.sperrysoftware.com/jcEmailDuplicatesEliminator.asp?Source=GoogleAdwords
)

This software has been rated ***** by PC 
Magazine.
( http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,26039,00.asp )

I hope this helps.

till

Everything was answered except for eliminating existing duplicate
messages.  I just did a search and found out how to do this.  Very
satisfied.

I assumed that removal of duplicate messages was inluded in the
features of the software.

till-ga

> I need to find an automated or 
> at least *simple* way to synchronise the contents of my folders 
> (important - also eliminating within folders all duplicate copies of
> same message, a result of previous attempts to synchronise folders),
> my address book, and the folders themselves.
It seems that you're using POP3. Outlook Express supports IMAP that
will keep your email messages and folders syncronized. You can also
use LDAP to keep your contacts syncronized.