Re: I want to archive oe mail

anon wrote:
> "Mike Easter"

>> Do you mean to read it with something other than OE?

> Not necessarily - oe is fine.

>> If it were me doing it, I would keep things as .dbx files and
>> develop an backup scheme for backing up the folder of all of the
>> .dbx files, including folders.dbx  -- whether your backup program
>> chooses to compress the folder of .dbx files is an option.  You will
>> keep things 'tighter' if you compact all of your .dbx folders before
>> you back them up.

> That sound like the best/easiest method.
>
> Do you mean that I would just make a copy of the dbx files and store
> them in some folder?

You would configure your backup proggie to grab the OE .dbx
folder/files.  Many backup programs do their own compression 'in the
background' and don't actually decompress unless you are restoring the
backup.  If you are planning on automating some non-backup compressing
archiving script so that you can do your messing with the .dbx/es
without performing any kind of backup restore, that would depend on the
'backbone' of whatever compression or backup program you chose.

In some ways, it isn't really an issue of the .dbx files, the way I'm
understanding you, but rather an issue of how you choose to do the
archiving - as fundamentally a backup orchestration - or as
fundamentally a synchronization operation, not really for backup, more
for alternative access.

> How would I 'read' the files (in oe or something else.)

If you like the OE interface I would use that.  Some of the other apps I
gave links to also have OE like interface.

> If when I read the files, they look like they did in the original oe
> display, that is the best of all worlds.

I don't know how often you plan to create this archive or if it is a
backup or synchronization of some other 'clone' store folder.  Common
advice prior to any backup process is to disengage from the server so
nothing is coming in and compact all folders.

It might be useful for you to read Tom Koch's comparison of his clone ba
ckup strategy vs the OE BackUp program's strategy -- plus other simpler
or more comprehensive backup plans at Koch's site
http://www.insideoe.com/backup/clone.htm  Clone Your Identity (for
Advanced Users)

http://www.insideoe.com/backup/  Backup and Restore -- Do-It-Yourself
Backups -- Simple Backup  -  OE Backup, free backup utility


-- 
Mike Easter
kibitzer, not SC admin