While programs exist to convert some formats such as Microsoft Outlook Express to Unix formats, Outlook users are in a bit of a bind. The database format that Outlook uses for .PST files, called Jet, is documented at:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/techart/olexcoutlk.htm
but there doesn't seem to be any enterprising programmer who's written a conversion program yet.
Fortunately, Outlook is capable of talking to IMAP mail servers, and you can store old mail on the IMAP server. So, one easy way to convert your mail to a normal format is to install the IMAP server on a Linux box and transfer all your email to it.
Copyright (c) 2001 by Greg Lindahl
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Use the information in this document at your own risk. I disavow any potential liability for the contents of this document. Use of the concepts, examples, and/or other content of this document is entirely at your own risk.
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You are strongly recommended to take a backup of your system before major installation and backups at regular intervals.
Do not place your cat in a running microwave oven.
A list of conversion utilities, many commercial, may be found at:
http://www.emailman.com/conversion/index.html
1.01: Fixed minor typo in inetd/xinetd startup instructions.