[ANN] Options for end of year archiving

[Diane Ross]

Options for end of year archiving (The Entourage Help Blog)

The end of 2008 is fast approaching and many users like to archive their
data and start with a fresh Identity. An Archive contains copies of your
files as they appeared at multiple points in time. A backup is simply a copy
of your data. You can archive your Entourage data multiple ways:

in a separate Identity
as an MBOX file
an Entourage archive (.rge) file
use third party software

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/12/options_for_end_of_year_archiving.ht
ml>

In case the above link does not work:

<http://tinyurl.com/9dvamb>

 

[Jon]

Options for end of year archiving (The Entourage Help Blog)





The end of 2008 is fast approaching and many users like to archive their
data and start with a fresh Identity. An Archive contains copies of your
files as they appeared at multiple points in time. A backup is simply
a copy of your data. You can archive your Entourage data multiple ways:





in a separate Identity as an MBOX file an Entourage archive (.rge) file
use third party software





ml>





In case the above link does not work:








-- Diane Ross, Microsoft Mac MVP Entourage Help Page Entourage Help Blog

 

[Jon]

Hi Diane,

First of all, thanks so much for your help and input on this forum. It's truly appreciated.

I needed some help...I am on a new MacBook (4G RAM, 350G Hard Drive) using Entourage 2004. I have a very large Entourage mail file (approx 6 gigs) and I would like to archive as much as possible to bring this down to a much more manageable state. Which of the 3 options would you recommend I use? I would like to be able to access these files quickly if need be. Also, I have tried to convert to the RGE file but I keep receiving error messages that my database is damaged. I used the Database Utility to rebuild the database, tried again, and it still failed. Is my only option the MBOX method? and if so, will this method allow me to quickly access the file(s) if needed?

Please advise, and again, thanks so much for your expertise and time.

Jon

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

I have a very large Entourage mail file (approx 6
gigs) and I would like to archive as much as possible to bring this down
to a much more manageable state. Which of the 3 options would you
recommend I use?

As the article points out, there are multiple options. I tried and liked
using EagleFiler. Smooth, easy, manageable. It's all in a searchable
database now and I like it.
Now the app is not free (but it's not outreageously expensive and does a
lot more than just archive e-mails)

Corentin

 

[Diane Ross]

As the article points out, there are multiple options. I tried and liked
using EagleFiler.

Are you using the latest beta? It includes the following:

* You can import from Entourage by selecting messages or a
mailbox and pressing the capture key. This preserves message
flags, categories, and projects. If you want EagleFiler to
skip a message, you can assign it the "OmitFromArchive"
category.

* You can now view messages in Microsoft Entourage instead of
Apple Mail (requires Mac OS X 10.5). To do this, **Get Info**
on a ".eml" file in the Finder, choose Entourage from the
**Open with** pop-up menu, and click **Change All**.

* You can drag messages out of mailboxes to convert them to
freestanding ".eml" files. It's less efficient to store
messages individually rather than in mailbox files, but
there are also several advantages: the messages can be stored
alongside other types of files, they can be freely moved
between folders, and they are searchable by Spotlight.

* EagleFiler now supports user-created smart folders.

For anyone following this thread, EagleFiler is by the same author as
SpamSieve.

<http://c-command.com/downloads/>

 

[Diane Ross]

First of all, thanks so much for your help and input on this forum. It's truly
appreciated.

Thanks for the kind words.

I needed some help...I am on a new MacBook (4G RAM, 350G Hard Drive) using
Entourage 2004. I have a very large Entourage mail file (approx 6 gigs) and I
would like to archive as much as possible to bring this down to a much more
manageable state.

While 6GB is large, I've seen reports of over 20GB.

Which of the 3 options would you recommend I use?

I would do the separate Identity. When you clone by duplicating all you need
to do is delete the older messages using a custom view. This is very quick.

However, if your data is valuable, I would also export as Entourage archive
(.rge) and MBOX file. Use the scripts for MBOX. You can never have too many
backups. Keep them on separate drives or media.

I would
like to be able to access these files quickly if need be.

The separate Identity will do that plus as Corentin mentioned EagleFiler is
also a good option. It's shareware so you can test it out first.
EMessageArchiver is a good application, but the author created this for
himself and has shared the product for a very reasonable price, but it's not
as user friendly. Michael Tsai, author of EF is very responsive for support.

Considerations since you have lots of old mail and I assume you will
continue having large amounts of mail. Having access to it in a form that
can be used by different email clients or versions is important. Even if you
don't have time right now to do multiple backups, I would work on that as
time permits.

Also, I have tried
to convert to the RGE file but I keep receiving error messages that my
database is damaged. I used the Database Utility to rebuild the database,
tried again, and it still failed. Is my only option the MBOX method? and if
so, will this method allow me to quickly access the file(s) if needed?

Look at the exporting as .rge as a real time test for corruption. When this
happens, your next step is to try MBOX. Sometimes drag as MBOX will even get
folders with corruption, but if it fails, then you know which folder. (note
it's probably in more than one folder). You next fall back is to try in
parts (divide in half) like the old testing for corruption in OS9. Last
resort is drag individual emails out.

Rebuilding does not always fix corruption. Since we are pretty sure you have
corruption, make a copy right now while you can open the Identity and only
work off copies.

Hope this helps!

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

Are you using the latest beta? It includes the following:

Nope (but I wish I were),
Is it an open beta or by-invitation only?


Corentin

 

[Diane Ross]

Nope (but I wish I were),
Is it an open beta or by-invitation only?

I thought there was a beta, but it has been released.

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

I thought there was a beta, but it has been released.

Indeed I asked Michael Tsai he he had a beta I could join and he
confirmed that it had none currently

It's all in 1.4.3

Corentin