Robert Kufrin wrote:

I am using Windows XP on two desktops and a laptop. I use Outlook 2003
for all my contacts and email. I have been copying and transporting my
pst file between home and office in order to always have the current
email and schedule information. We recently installed an Exchange 2003
server at the office and will be switching it on later this week.

One you get the mailboxes defined in Exchange, you should no longer be using
PSTs for mail delivery.

I am trying to understand the differences between an ost file and a
pst file and how I could best move information back and forth.

With an Exchange server and proper network configuration, there should be no
reason to "move information back and forth." You connect to your Exchange
server both at the office and away from it, the latter either with a VPN,
RPC over HTTP, or Outlook Web Access.

I would like to use my office desktop as the primary computer which
would be connected to the exchange server. I have an office laptop
that I move to different locations off the network. Most frequently I
copy my pst file to my cruzer drive and move it to my home computer.
After I am done with emails I copy it back on the cruzer and take it
back to the office.

Fairly typical.

I have been lookng at site information on setting up an ost file, but
if I do, then do I drop the pst file movement.

An OST comes with the Exchange territory if you use either Offline Folders
or Cached Exchange mode. You don't have to create it, Outlook will. It
reflects the contents of the Exchange mailbox at the time of
synchronization. It's not for transfer of data between machines.

Where is the best
location for me to figure it all out? My current pst file is around
60 megs and will grow to about 150 megs by the end of the year.

You shouldn't need a PST once you're on Exchange unless the mail policies
your management establishes don't allow sufficient mailbox space.
--
Brian Tillman