Outlook and Dropbox

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I use OL2010 on two computers in different cities, which I call Home and Remote. When I leave Home I make a copy of the Outlook.pst file on a flash drive.
When I get to Remote I back up the existing Outlook.pst file and replace it with the one on the flash drive. I reverse the process when I return to Home. this is kind of an updated version of Sneakernet.
I am considering using Dropbox to replace this cumbersome procedure. Am I correct in assuming that Dropbox will keep my .pst files in sync as long as both computers are connected to the Internet? Or is there something about the file organization of .pst files that will prevent proper synching?
HH

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I think the proposed use of Dropbox to contain the pst file would work (or at least I’m not aware of a reason why it wouldn’t), but if it does it would be quite inefficient in terms of network bandwidth: downloading the email, uploading to dropbox, downloading from dropbox etc.

Have you considered using IMAP rather than POP? Using IMAP, the folders and messages stored by your email provider will be kept in sync, and as long as you periodically purge deleted emails you should have no problem. Outlook will update the local pst file next time you open it.

I use IMAP for all non-Exchange email accounts and they keep in sync between iPad, Android Phone, Laptop and workstation.

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Unfortunately, Verizon offers only POP3 accounts. The Verizon forums are full of angry Verizon customers asking, pleading, cajoling Verizon to add IMAP, to no avail.There was one suggestion that I may try: “You can sign up for free Gmail account and have Gmail retrieve your Verizon POP email and access it via Gmail IMAP.”
HH

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I think using Gmail or Hotmail will be a better option.

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I think using Gmail or Hotmail will be a better option.

I agree ruirib. If you are using say an outlook.com, msn.com, live.com email then when you get to your remote computer and turn it on, it should update automatically.

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This specialist site (MSOutlook.info) also recently recommended IMAP or Hotmail rather than attempting to sync pst files: Synching pst-files via SkyDrive or Dropbox

Bruce

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It is not recommended cause outlook needs exclusive access to the pst when its open and it can result in corruption if the sync utility tries to sync it while outlook has it open. That said, try it – others tell me it works fine with dropbox.

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