Public WEB PST for Outlook is a quasi-replacement for Outlook Web Access (OWA) that doesn't require Exchange Server. When installed on a PC with Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007, the application "publishes" Microsoft Outlook through a Web interface across any Internet connection.
Public WEB PST for Outlook uses Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) as the Web server, which is an installable option in Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP and Windows Vista.
The program provides remote users with a broad subset of the functions available in the conventional desktop version of Microsoft Outlook. Any actions performed through Public WEB PST's Web interface are, in effect, performed through Microsoft Outlook.
For example, if you send an email through Public WEB PST for Outlook, it's kept in the Sent Items folder of your original Microsoft Outlook installation.
Public WEB PST for Outlook requires:
- IIS (which can be installed from the Windows CD)
- A fixed and publicly available IP address or a dynamic DNS service like DynDNS.org
- The ability to access your computer remotely from another part of the Internet
In short, you need to satisfy many of the same conditions for using a tool like Remote Desktop.
Finally, Public WEB PST for Outlook is available in a demo version which can be used for an unlimited length of time -- but it will only work for four hours at a time before IIS has to be manually reset. A single client license is U.S. $63.78 (the odd price is due to Euro conversions), with discounts available in bulk.
About the author: Serdar Yegulalp is editor of Windows Insight, a newsletter devoted to hints, tips, tricks, news and goodies for all flavors of Windows users.
MEMBER FEEDBACK TO THIS MICROSOFT OUTLOOK TIP
I'd be so scared of this. It sounds like it would be a huge security issue.
By the way, who manufacturers Public WEB PST for Outlook?
—Jon B.
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While outside connections to Public Web PST for Outlook are password-protected, it's unclear what kinds of measures are taken to protect the password itself while it's in transit. (There does not appear to be any support for SSL, for instance.)
For that reason, it's probably not a good idea to use this product over an insecure connection, such as a wireless link with no encryption.
The manufacturer is PublicShareware.com.
—Serdar Yegulalp, tip author
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