How do I create a PST on the Macintosh?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Sorry, but you can\’t.  At least not with a Microsoft Product… Unless your running Windows via a Virtual Machine, or Boot camp, there is no Microsoft Products on the Mac that will product a PST.
PST\’s are a product of Outlook, or the Exchange server.  The file format is actually used for quite a few files…:

  • Personal Storage Table [File] (.PST)
  • Personal Folder File (.PFF)
  • Off-Line Storage Table (.ost)
  • Off-Line Folder File (.off)
  • Personal Address Book (.pab)

The file format has been reversed engineered, and through the libpst project, it can be read on other platforms than Windows…
As a general rule, PST files are not highly recommended, as they are easily corrupted, and damaged.  This corruption is more likely, when the file gets closer to the maximum file size.
Outlook 2002, and earlier had a maximum file size of 2 GB.  Outlook 2003, extended this filesize up to 20 Gb.
Microsoft has a PST Import Tool for Entourage.  This tool has to be one of the best kept secrets of Microsoft, since I rarely hear about a software package that has been in existance since 11/30/2005.

  • Office XP (aka Office 2002) PSTs can not be used with the MS PST Import Tool.
  • Although the documentation makes specific reference to Entourage 2004, the PST Import Tool can be used with versions of Entourage released after Entourage 2004, such as Entourage 2008.
  • Please note, I have seen very mixed results with this import tool.

A commercial package called \”Outlook -> Entourage\”, claims to transfer your email, address book, contacts, and calendars for $14.95. I haven\’t tried it, but I have seen some comments about it… They\’ve been generally positive.

\’Very good news\’ for Torchwood fans!

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Well, that may not be the case, TV Guide reported (mild spoilers ahead):

Torchwood might not have concluded its run at the end of the thrilling miniseries Children of Earth after all—Ianto\’s tragic death not withstanding. The new year could bring some \’very good news\’ for fans of the sexy sci-fi series, creator Russell T. Davies tells TV Guide Magazine.
\’The recession has hit British television, but fingers crossed, it will be a go. We expect things to start to move in January. We\’ve got great ideas for the show. I think there\’s a further lease on life for many years to come, but certainly for a [fourth season],\’ Davies says.

No word on when or where we\’d likely see this new season of the Doctor Who spinoff, who might return or how long it might run, but any news is good news, right?
To recap, on TV has been three seasons of Torchwood…  Here\’s hoping that we\’ll see a fourth…  (Links are to Amazon.com)

Internet Explorer is Slow? Speed it up…

Benjamin Schollnick1 Comment

Ever wonder why your internet connection seems slow…  Part of it maybe the web browser your using…Internet Explorer, especially the earlier versions of it (6,  and 7), can be rather foolish with it\’s default settings….

How To Delete Temporary Internet Files and Cookies

Internet Explorer caches web pages you visit and cookies coming from those pages. While designed to speed up browsing, if left unchecked the burgeoning folders can sometimes slow IE to a crawl or cause other unexpected behavior. In general, the less is more principal works well here – keep the Internet Explorer cache small and clear it often. Continue reading →

Fire for Effect? Should I Duck?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Have you ever heard \”Fire for Effect\”? Here\’s a good example, from The Whiteboard comic…
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What is Fire for Effect? It means that after corrections, the target area is satisfactory, and to start firing on the targeted area.
According to NATO doctrine:
1. Fire which is delivered after the mean point of impact or burst is within the desired distance of the target or adjusting/ranging point.
2. Term in a call for fire to indicate the adjustment/ranging is satisfactory and fire for effect is desired.
According to United States Department of Defense:
That volume of fires delivered on a target to achieve the desired effect. Also called FFE.
The game Squad Leader gives a very good demonstration of the difference between spotting rounds, harassing fire and fire for effect. First the Forward Observer (FO) establishes contact with the artillery unit. Then a spotting round is called for. Spotting rounds are then \”walked\” on to the target. When the spotting round is either on the target or the necessary adjustment is small enough to be within allowable limits, the FO calls for a Fire Mission, often with the phrase, \”Fire for Effect.\” If the first fire mission does not reduce the position or change the tactical situation sufficiently, other fire missions may be called for.
via Fire for effect – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.