"S Conn." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote on 05/20/2008 01:49:16 AM:

> Hey guys I'm looking for suggestions.  Here's the deal.  I have NO
> Exchange server.  Management won't buy it, too expensive, especially
> since Linux alternatives are "cheaper".  I've been fighting this
> losing battle for years now.  If I did have Exchange, the upcoming
> question would be null.

I used to run a small Exchange 5.5, then upgraded to Ex 2007, for like 60 
users. Linux alternatives (if all you're looking for is mail, and not 
things like shared/workgroup calenders, public folders, etc), then Linux 
probably would be cheaper, both in upfront license costs, hardware 
requirements, and time maintaining.

> All 400+ of my users are using POP3 with Outlook 2003 or 2007.  I just
> gotten the ability to do IMAP, but the trick there is that there is a
> 90 day message limit on the server.  This causes issues with many
> users since they like to keep EVERYTHING.

So the POP server is *not* one you control?

And every user wants to either keep everything forever, or not keep 
anything ever. :-)

> Setting up local PSTs on most user's PCs is ok, especially since most
> users understand the risks associated with doing so.  Where I'm
> running into issues is on my Terminal Servers.  I have a few
> "stand-alone" Terminal Servers, where users are assigned one specific
> server and that's it.  They have a local profile on these servers, so
> their PSTs don't move across the network at all.  I'm not using Citrix
> here, just normal Windows 2003 Terminal Server.

I'd go IMAP (probably Courier) on Linux, if it were me, and you're not 
looking for collaboration (such as calendaring; there are other 
add-ons/programs for that, none quite as easy or integrated as Exchange). 
This presumes that I can run and control my own Linux server, of course. 
You can even web front-end it, using sqwebmail or Squirrelmail (which I 
prefer).

> 
> My current setup will not last.  I need to find a way to either not
> use the PST files at all or find a way to reliably provide access to
> PSTs without killing my network.  I thought about using a logon/logoff
> script to copy the PSTs to/from the network shares, but I'm afraid
> that it'll be too slow (my users like to have 1gb+ PSTs) and it won't
> handle non-logoff situations well (like a sudden reboot).

Yeah, I don't think that'll work well. You're trying to emulate offline 
files then.

> 
> Does anyone have any suggestions, workarounds, or solutions?  Anyone
> dealing with this issue now or found a way to deal with it?
> 
> I really appreciate your help and suggestions on this.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Seth

So your POP server is owned and maintained by your ISP? Do they offer IMAP 
services?

Good luck.

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