Express Archiver FAQ

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• What is Express Archiver ?
• Do I need Express Archiver ?
• What is Microsoft Outlook Express ?
• What versions of Outlook Express are supported by Express Archiver ?
• What are the differences between Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook ?
• Can Express Archiver replace Microsoft Outlook Express ?
• Which files can Express Archiver read ?
• Can Express Archiver read Microsoft Outlook files ?
• Can Express Archiver damage your mail files ?
• What is MIME ?
• How do I register Express Archiver ?
• What is a shareware ?
• Should I report bugs ?

What is Express Archiver ?

Express Archiver is a program that allows users to archive their mails if they use Microsoft's most popular mail program, Outlook Express. This process is very easy and, depending on the options you choose, the resulting archives can be read with any text editor or browser.
Basic features of Express Archiver allow you to :

• Save single or multiple mails from a folder in a very customizable way
• High security. You can parse mails without visualization in a browser-like window (scripts won't be run; remember the I Love You virus...)
• Have full access to all mails of all identities registered in Outlook Express
• Have full access to any .dbx file containing mails
• Easily view any attached images (.jpg, .gif, .psd and many other image types), with no need for another program to be open
• Easily open any attached files
  

Advanced features allow you to :

• Have easy access to the source of your mails
• View a complete MIME description of the source of any mail through a tree view, with headers and content clearly shown
• Get a list of all MIME types and subtypes registered in your computer, with the associated programs

Do I need Express Archiver ?

If you receive so many mails that you get lost in your excessively full mail folders, if you think you could take advantage of a tool that would save all or some of your mails as simple text or as web pages, if you need a tool that can save all the attachments you received or sent in a specific folder on your hard disk, if you complain you can't archive your messages before you migrate to Linux or Macintosh, if getting all your mails as html or text files on a CD is a dream for you, I bet you will be happy you heard about Express Archiver.

What is Microsoft Outlook Express ?

Outlook Express is probably the leading mail client in the world. It makes it easy for everybody to receive, write and send mails, through POP, IMAP or HTML, which are all common protocols that can be used by your computer to retrieve your mails from your "post office" or send them to any recipient.

What versions of Outlook Express are supported by Express Archiver ?

The current version of Express Archiver can read Outlook Express 5 (and newer) files only. Older versions are not supported. Outlook Express 5 is the version of Outlook Express that ships with Windows 2000, Windows Millenium or is installed when you upgrade to Explorer 5 with older versions of Windows.
An easy way to know which version is installed on your computer is to read it from the splash that appears as you start Outlook Express, or to go to the ? menu and click on the "About Outlook Express" submenu.

What are the differences between Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook ?

Microsoft decided to give these two programs very similar names, for they have a very important common purpose: receive, write and send mails. But as you can guess from the very difference between the two names, Express is a light version of Outlook and can manage only mail, whereas Outlook has a whole set of extra functions not directly related to mails, and is part of the Microsoft Office package. Their files are different, and Express Archiver reads only Outlook Express.

Can Express Archiver replace Microsoft Outlook Express ?

No, Express Archiver complements Outlook Express. Basic mail functions cannot be performed by Express Archiver. Here are examples of things you cannot do with Express Archiver :

• Get your mails from your post office (the server which keeps your mails until you go and get them)
• Write mails
• Send mails
• Get messages from or post to newsgroups

Which files can Express Archiver read ?

Outlook Express stores every mail of a folder (Inbox, Outbox, Sent Items,...) in a file with the extension .dbx. This was not the case until version 5 of Outlook Express, which stored mails in .mbx files. The format of these file is proprietary, which means that their specifications have not been made public. Express Archiver can read all the needed information from .dbx files, which allows extraction of all the mails and related information (has the message been read, answered, forwarded, is it marked as urgent, and so on). As for Outlook files (as opposed to Outlook Express files), please read the answer to the next question.

Can Express Archiver read Microsoft Outlook files ?

Outlook does not store mails in the same format as that of Outlook Express. Everything is stored in a unique file, whereas Outlook Express stores them in separate files for each folder (Inbox, Outbox, Sent Items,...). But if needed, Outlook mails can be archived by Express Archiver thanks to the exportation/importation wizards included in Outlook and Outlook Express. Every computer on which Windows is installed should have Outlook Express, even if Outlook is present too and is the default mail program. It is possible to import Outlook mails to Outlook Express, which in turn gives Express Archiver full access to all available information on your mails necessary for archiving or studying the structure of you mails for instance.

Can Express Archiver damage your mail files ?

No. Express Archiver makes no changes to the structure of your mail files. The only changes made are, if you select the option, a # sign put at the beginning of character strings in the index of mails when archived. It does not change the content of the mail, nor does it change its header. This function has been added to help you know which mails have been archived and can therefore be deleted.

What is MIME ?

MIME means Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions, and refers to an official Internet standard that specifies how messages must be formatted so that they can be exchanged between different email systems. MIME is a very flexible format, permitting one to include virtually any type of file or document in an email message. Specifically, MIME messages can contain text, images, audio, video, or other application-specific data. Have a look at all the MIME types registered in Express Archiver.

How do I register Express Archiver ?

Express Archiver is a shareware (see the answer to the next question) and you must register it if you use it, not just test it. To become a registered user, you must choose between two available options :

• run the program and follow the instructions given to you under "Buy / How to Buy Express Archiver".
• go to the Express Archiver site on the download page.
  

Once you have received your key, run the program and click the "Buy / Enter Your Code" menu.
The whole procedure is very simple, the price is cheap and the payment is received by an allowed company that is specialized in Internet credit card payments.

What is a shareware ?

A shareware is a program that is usually made accessible to everybody through Internet, CDs or any widely distributed device. It is either fully or partially functional, and limitations can change after a certain time elapses. The price is usually very low compared to that of programs distributed in a traditional fashion. Users can test the shareware until they decide whether or not they find it usefull. The rule is that a shareware that is used must be paid for.
A good and self explanatory synonym found on the Association of Shareware Professionals site is "try-before-you-buy software".

Should I report bugs ?

Of course ! Any bugs should be reported by email and the subject of the mail should include "BUG".