In ,
John T Ingato typed:
I have read up that the only way to share contacts and calendars with
Outlook is to install MS Exchange on on of the computers in our
workgroup. Is this true? Do I have to install MS Exchange, the
$1200.00 program, on to one computer, setting it up as a server, and
install Outlook on that computer also? Does it have to be a special
Outlook,i.e. Outlook server?
Does it need to be this difficult? Is there any way to share
contacts and /or calendar without Exchange server?

There's no built in way to do this. However, you don't have to buy Exchange.
You could, for example, use hosted Exchange accounts via any number of
companies. Or, search for 'sharing' at www.slipstick.com.

If you *did* install Exchange, you'd need Windows Server, AD, and you would
not want to install Outlook on the same box running Exchange.