eMail Question... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GottaDiesel · #1 04-04-2007, 06:59 PM

Ok. I know this is going to sound really stupid... but here goes.

Right now I use Microsoft Outlook 2003 to get all my email from a bunch of different sources. (OptOnline, domain names, etc.)...

It all comes in via different "accounts" that I've got set up.

Ok. So here's the situation.

I have 3 different computers that I work from. My one at home, my laptop, and one at my soon-to-be-wife's...

Which means, if I read email, I have to then FWD it to a gmail account, so I can answer it later (if at girlfriend's)... or I have to power-up the laptop if I read it there, etc.

What I would like to know is what is the best way to make it so I can read all my mail, from any machine, and not have to deal with this? Do I want to use Outlook Exchange (? Don't know what it is) -- or do I want to do something with pcAnywhere???

I'm really confused, but I would like to stream-line things and thought I would ask you folks.

Thanks,

Pete

300SD81 · #2 04-04-2007, 07:09 PM

I use a microsoft exchange server, all my mail from different accounts gets downloaded, then uploaded onto my server to be accessed from anywhere. Not sure if its an option for you, since you have to either run the server yourself, or find a free service that runs exchange. Its usually used for corporate email systems.

GottaDiesel · #3 04-04-2007, 07:19 PM

I can setup a server easily... just tell me what I need to do and I'll do it.

I have a broadband connection that is stable and fast and plenty of extra boxes around (PCs)...

Thanks for the help, just let me know what/how to do... and I'm there.

Thanks agian,

Pete

300SD81 · #4 04-04-2007, 07:49 PM

It only runs on windows server 2003, so you'll have to get an extra computer if you don't already have a server. Exchange 2007 only runs on x64 systems, Exchange 2003 will run on 32 bit. You'll have to get active directory set up on the server before installing exchange, its all pretty simple if you know some basic stuff about servers and how the internet works. Just follow the install/setup screens.

Medmech · #5 04-04-2007, 07:54 PM

Use Gmail

Go to Gmail
Settings
Accounts
Get mail from other accounts
Add your accounts

DONE

And for form factor go to http://www.gmail.com/gmm on your cell phone and download the gmail client

All of the above el freebo and will do more than clunky ass exchange.

300SD81 · #6 04-04-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kookookachoo

Use Gmail

Go to Gmail
Settings
Accounts
Get mail from other accounts
Add your accounts

DONE

And for form factor go to http://www.gmail.com/gmm on your cell phone and download the gmail client

All of the above el freebo and will do more than clunky ass exchange.

Guess that works too

Go with that, less work than getting a server up... I have exchange because I host several of my own domains...

aklim · #7 04-04-2007, 09:11 PM

If you go into the "accounts" section, you can have it leave the email on the server. Edit the properties and go to the "advanced" tab. At the bottom is the "Delivery" section. You can leave the email on the server. That way, you can access it anywheres you want. Also, select the box "remove from server" after say 7 days/

John Doe · #8 04-04-2007, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kookookachoo

Use Gmail

Go to Gmail
Settings
Accounts
Get mail from other accounts
Add your accounts

DONE

And for form factor go to http://www.gmail.com/gmm on your cell phone and download the gmail client

All of the above el freebo and will do more than clunky ass exchange.

Yeah I tried this, but it ends up not holding the emails you check this way on Outlook, which is where I keep my records of emails (kind of like when you check them on your crackberry). I don't use pc anywhere, but www.gotomypc.com to check my outlook from anywhere on my main server.

Medmech · #9 04-04-2007, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe

Yeah I tried this, but it ends up not holding the emails you check this way on Outlook, which is where I keep my records of emails (kind of like when you check them on your crackberry). I don't use pc anywhere, but www.gotomypc.com to check my outlook from anywhere on my main server.

use the leave messages on server option.

If you are running xp pro you an now use remote desktop for winders, better than go to my pc.

John Doe · #10 04-04-2007, 09:48 PM

I will try it.

GottaDiesel · #11 04-04-2007, 11:43 PM

Ok... so... if I leave it on the server... how does that work? Does that mean I can look at it via gMail and via Outlook?

John Doe · #12 04-04-2007, 11:55 PM

If what I understand he is saying, checking it on gmail from anywhere won't knock it out of outlook if you pick that option--that is what I need. May try tomorrow.

GottaDiesel · #13 04-05-2007, 12:19 AM

Same here... I'm going to try it with one of the accounts in the AM. This could be so simple, I'll end up smacking myself in the head...

GottaDiesel · #14 04-05-2007, 12:22 AM

Here's a reply I got (might help)(??):

Pete, I understand your predicament - been there, done that. I struggled along with the "leave message on server for X weeks" but it is a half-solution at best. It will (sometimes) allow you to get to incoming messages from more than one machine, but you won't have a central "SENT" box nor will your address book be kept in sync, etc. etc. Like I said, I used that method for a while before breaking down and figuring out a solution that would work for me.

First, understand there are two "kinds" of email out there... Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) and IMAP (who knows what it stands for)

Any accounts you have that are set up as Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) will act just like you going to the post office: once you pick up your messages, they're now in your computer and no longer in your mailbox. This is what you have now. This is why, if you get a message on Computer A, when computer B goes to check your messages it doesn't get that message -- because Computer A took it.

IMAP is the opposite - messages NEVER leave the server. All your incoming mail is organized and kept for you, and when you check it (from whatever computer) -- you're see ALL your messages that you've sent or recieved from any of the computers you use. Anything you send, save, delete, file away, etc. will be on the server NOT your local computer, so when you go to check your mail on another computer, all your mail will be just like you left it.

So, what do you do? Well, you could call around and see if you can get your accounts changed from POP3 to IMAP -- that would solve your problem. If you do this, you WILL have to change your Outlook settings on all your machines to tell them it is in IMAP account.

If you can't do that, you can use a service (like I do) and have it check all your accounts and merge them into one uniform, IMAP inbox. So now you could check all your messages, all your sent items, and your address book from any machine (even your cell phone). I have used a service called http://www.fastmail.fm/ in the past (it was like $30 a year) and I had about 12 email addresses all flooding into one and then I would just use the Fastmail site to organize and keep my messages.

There are plenty of others. These days I use .Mac from Apple to keep my accounts together. If you want a long-term solution I really recommend IMAP over just duct taping the problem with the "leave messages on server" option that Outlook has.

Good luck. Aren't computers fun?

Medmech · #15 04-05-2007, 07:24 AM

IMAP is great but it has to be enabled on all of your accounts, use the gmail set up. Gmail is true PUSH email so there is no lag, I am sure it is the right solution for you.

just make sure you fill in those check boxes to leace copies of the messages on server.

and remember the gmail client on your cell phone; even if it is just a flip phone.