how does the WLM 2011 beta contact system / database work?

Using WLM 2011 beta (Build 15.4.3002.0810) German version, on a 32-bit Win7
Ultimate system.

Everything works relatively fine but i am confused with the Windows
Contacts.
As i have a live mail account, i can synchronize my contacts on other
computers.

But how has this system changed from OutlookExpress over WindowsMail to WLM?
And is there a major difference to OUTLOOK (2007 or 2010) contacts?

I have noticed that compatibility to certain mobile phones is no longer
given.

Have a SonyEricsson w995 and SonyEricsson offers a sync software called "pc
suite" which has compatibility to outlook, outlookExpress and WindowsMail,
but will not recognize WLM 2011 for syncing contacts.

I know that in this particular case it is a problem of SonyEricsson,
but still i am confused with the number of times MS seems to change the
storage format of contacts ....

greetings

Roland Schweiger

Roland,
Inline..

--
....winston
ms-mvp mail

"Roland Schweiger" wrote in message news:i6j6ka$69v$...

Using WLM 2011 beta (Build 15.4.3002.0810) German version, on a 32-bit Win7
Ultimate system.

Everything works relatively fine but i am confused with the Windows
Contacts.
As i have a live mail account, i can synchronize my contacts on other
computers.

But how has this system changed from OutlookExpress over WindowsMail to WLM?
- A lot
* OE stored contacts in a wab file
* Windows Mail in C:\Users\<windows name>\Contacts
* WLM stores them in contacts database file(*.edb) and only accessible via WLM and WLMsgr

And is there a major difference to OUTLOOK (2007 or 2010) contacts?
* Outlook stores contacts in its *.pst file


I have noticed that compatibility to certain mobile phones is no longer
given.
- Contact acces on a mobile phone is determined by the phone supporting Windows Live online contacts, not WLM.

Have a SonyEricsson w995 and SonyEricsson offers a sync software called "pc
suite" which has compatibility to outlook, outlookExpress and WindowsMail,
but will not recognize WLM 2011 for syncing contacts.
- because it can read wab, User\..\Contacts or a pst file but not *.edb

I know that in this particular case it is a problem of SonyEricsson,
but still i am confused with the number of times MS seems to change the
storage format of contacts ....
- as noted above, in this version and the foreseeable future..synchronization with phones is via the online contacts(contacts.live.com, not WLM)

"...winston"

> - as noted above, in this version and the foreseeable
> future..synchronization with phones is via the online
> contacts(contacts.live.com, not WLM)


Thanks for the reply.
Although i am not really afraid of "contact sniffing", i however don't
really understand why i should upload all my contacts to some MS server,
just to have them synched.
Similar applies to photo mail but at least with photo mail i understand the
minimization of data amounts.

I use a live account but somehow i don't feel too good about it - it uploads
all contacts + calendar details.
Yes i know that it is all kind of encrypted but still it makes me wonder why
is it so necessary to use windows live contacts ...
but maybe i am just too sensitive :-)

Anyhow more, i hope that in foreseeable future the makers of software for
mobile phones (like SonyEricsson) will be able to read .edb files (as i
understand both calendar and contacts are in .ebd files) so that sync with
such phones (that has worked for many years) will be possible in future.

greetings

Roland Schweiger