Import email from Outlook 2011 for Mac into Zimbra

Hey Friends…

I decided to post a short & sweet HOWTO on importing mail from Outlook 2011 for Mac into Zimbra. As you probably would have found out by now, Microsoft has just taken few steps backwards, by changing the format of the mail database in Outlook 2011 (Mac) from PST to OLM. Hence, the usual PST import Zimbra wizards are useless ( Until Zimbra gets down to creating an OLM import utility)

Step 1: From within your Outlook, click on any of your root folders (eg: Inbox) and drag it onto your desktop, or any other open folder. This will create an .MBOX file containing all the email from the specific folder. Mbox is more of a standard format, so this will be easy to work with. You can do the same for any other folders you require to import, and a separate .mbox file will be created in each case.

Step 2: Copy these mbox files onto a Windows PC, either through the network or USB drive.

Step 3: Next you will need a free utility called Imapsize which you can download here. This will be required to convert the Mbox files to .EML format which Zimbra understands.

Step 4: Install Imapsize, and under the Tools menu, you will find an Mbox to EML convert utility.

Select the Mbox file to convert and choose the destination folder for the .EML files

Step 5: Once the conversion is complete, you will require an archiving utility to create a .tgz zipped archive for Zimbra. You can use Peazip, which can be downloaded here. From within Peazip, choose "Add" to create a new archive as illustrated. Choose the folders to include in the conversion. Make sure you choose .gzip and "tar before" as the archive format. Click OK - and then wait while the archive is being created. Once it is complete, rename the extension to .tgz as opposed to .tar.gz

Step 6: From within Zimbra, navigate to Preferences, Import/Export and choose the .tgz file to import. VOILA! If all goes well, your mail from Outlook 2011 should be importing into Zimbra! Hope this has helped you along the way!

--- Update : 24 Dec 2011 ---

After completing the above method, everything went smoothly, though I hit one snag. The import into Zimbra, had changed all the imported email's received date to the day of the import. This is not acceptable for most people, me included.

I checked the individual .EML files created with Imapsize, and they all had the correct dates intact. So obviously the Zimbra import of the .TGZ file had screwed up somewhere along the line. Off I went to Dr Google, and did some research. I came across another utility, from http://www.outlookfreeware.com. They have a neat free utility that imports eml files into Outlook, and after doing a test run, the original dates were imported as well. AHHH - Progress. To get this to work though, you will need to install the Outlook connector for Zimbra, connect to your Zimbra server via Outlook, and do the import. This will synchronize all imported emails onto your Zimbra server, and when you next log on either via the web interface or Zimbra Desktop, all your old email's should be there.

Dis-Chem CEO, on Palestine

I am reprinting a lengthy email from Dis-Chem CEO, Ivan Saltzman - in response to a customer questioning him on Dis-Chem stocking Dead Sea products from Israel. You be the judge. I wonder how I would have responded if I was the CEO, and a Jewish customer expressed their concerns of me stocking some Islamic Terrorist item. Raymond Ackerman, is a very successful South African Jew. He has had to confront Muslim customers concerns on numerous occasions. And yet, at least publicly, he has not once responded in such a strong pro-Israel manner. Mr Saltzman, obviously is well within his ground to voice his views on the humanitarian way Israel has dealt with a hostile Palestinian population. Yet, I find him totally insensitive to a valid concern of his customers. I, for one, also noticed the Dead Sea products, Made in Israel - but chose to employ the open-minded approach of live and let live. However after reading his response, I have to really question whether I need to support someone who obviously has a very nonchalant attitude to his Muslim customers concerns. You be the judge!


Below is a graphic photo of Mustafa Tamimi, who died on December,10 after being shot with a tear-gas grenade at point blank range by Israeli Forces. I don't know. Maybe it takes a strong person to see what's actually taking place in occupied Palestine. Maybe to most people of the world, Israel is doing the world a favour by getting rid of potential terrorists, before they have an opportunity to spread in the world. Isn't this the type of mentality that Hitler employed.

In the words of Dis-Chem CEO,
 " Israel goes to extraordinary lengths to minimize civilian casualties and has been extremely successful in this regard. Palestinian (or for that matter Lebanese) casualties have been a tiny fraction of what they would have been if Israel had truly adopted a Nazi-like extermination policy, given the massive military capability it has at its disposal " 

I'm sorry, Mr Saltzman - this does not look like going to extraordinary lengths to minimize civilian casualties.

Original correspondence below - taken from:

 https://www.facebook.com/notes/fatima-asmal/dischem-ceos-response-to-pro-palestinian-customer/10150424531490025

Dischem CEO's Response to Pro-Palestinian Customer

by Fatima Asmal on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 5:01pm

Regarding my Dischem status here is the story: (please note that these sets of correspondence all came with email addresses, phone numbers, etc. - I've deleted them; I've also spoken to Fathima Moosa)

1) Durban-based Fathima Moosa sent Dischem a mail via their website suggesting that they not stock products manufactured in Israel. 

2)  Here is the first set of correspondence:

Dear fathima moosa,

You have asked the following question via the Dis-Chem website:

i visitted your store in westwood mall, durban, and noticed that you stock products from Israel. as a south african who lived under oppression, i was very upset to see that your store imports products from a country whose human rights violations replicate hitler's nazism. please consider removing israeli products from your shelves.

Below folows the response to your query:

Dear Fathima

Thank you for contacting us. I have brought this matter to the attention of one of our Directors who has advised that we will not consider removing the Israeli products from Dis-Chem stores.

Kind regards

Dawn de Klerk

3)  So Fathima decided to write again, and this is what she said:

Hi

I am very disappointed by your response.

Please forward this mail to your director, whom I believe is a caring individual. ( I am formerly from Pretoria, and I know that he does a lot of charity).

It is very easy for us to rise to the defense of those who are from our brethren, but the nobler response is to do what's right, even if its the unpopular choice.

The jews of many organisations nationally and internationally have nobly and amazingly distanced themselves from the israeli regime, and have been at the forefront of the call for sanctions against Israel, because of their racist and inhumane policies.

Please google, "nkusa", "young jewish and proud", "rabbis against Israel", Ronnie Kasrils: "not in my name".

Among all these voices, are Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and many Israeli MPs who urge the world to end the madness.

I hope and trust that your good judgement and commitment to the values enshrined in the Torah, allow you to make the right decision.

Happy is the man who renounces everything that puts a strain on his conscience.

After all, we are all the children of Abraham.

Thank you

Fathima Moosa

4) And twenty days later, Group CEO Ivan Saltzman comes back with this:

On Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 1:59 PM, Ivan Saltzman wrote:

Dear Fatima Moosa I will begin by answering your likening Israel’s supposed human rights violations to Hitler’s Nazism, a scurrilous slur that you have clear chosen to employ in order to give maximum offense.  I think you well know that the crimes of the Nazi regime involved the deliberate mass murder of millions of civilians, largely Jews, as a matter of planned policy. Is this really what Israel is doing. Obviously not – in fact it does completely the opposite. Israel goes to extraordinary lengths to minimize civilian casualties and has been extremely successful in this regard. Palestinian (or for that matter Lebanese) casualties have been a tiny fraction of what they would have been if Israel had truly adopted a Nazi-like extermination policy, given the massive military capability it has at its disposal. In fact, it is very easy to identify the true modern-day Nazis in the Middle East. They are found in the ranks of such murderous extremist groupings as Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestine Islamic Jihad (amongst others), all of which regard the mass murder of Israeli Jews as the noblest goal their followers can aspire to. Have you ever thought what the consequences would be if Israel were to adopt the same kind of tactics against the Palestinian population? Mass slaughter would indeed ensue, but fortunately Israel, no matter what the provocation, has not nor will not ever stoop to such depths. So far as your stated intention of boycotting Dis-Chem goes, that is obviously your decision. After all, we do live in a free country. However, if it is your intention to boycott Israeli products, you need to be consistent If your gesture is to have any meaning. I hope you don’t use an intel chip in your computer with which you probably wrote your e-mail because it was invented in Israel. I hope that you stay in good health because if you need preventative surgery against a heart attack, you will have to boycott the procedure because guess what? The stent was invented in Israel! Likewise, I hope you are never prescribed any patch for diabetes, to deliver medication and other drugs. If you are an asthmatic you may have to use a new type of inhaler (Spin) invented in Israel. So please check! Israel has given the world the system of drip irrigation which is being widely adopted in South Africa with water shortages like many countries. Should you boycott all fruit and vegetables grown by this method. The list that Israel has given the world is very lengthy. Check very carefully what you boycott. You may not have noticed the crisis in the Arab world, “Arab Spring” which now is in Winter with no end in sight. To the best of my knowledge this over human rights but then I have an HD TV which you are probably boycotting. The cheapness of life in Somalia and Sudan is perpetrated by people who you are strongly affiliated to.  You obviously don’t know what the racism of Hitler differs very little to Israel’s enemies. Both want the destruction of the Jewish people. I believe I had to answer your “complaint”. I will continue to sell Dead Sea products from Israel. You know the Dead Sea has two shores. I wonder why the Jordanians or Palestinians (most come from Jordan) do not want to share this wonderful natural resource of the Dead Sea. I will not respond to any further correspondence on your subject. Yours faithfully  IVAN SALTZMAN | CHIEF EXCECUTIVE OFFICER  

The Bishop & the Dalai VS ANC

In true Madam & Eve style - YOH! this has been one heated week in South Africa. Seldom in recent times, can I remember such spirited (to put it mildly) debate from all spectrum's of South African's. The cause of this disturbance to our normally tranquil suburbia lives -  The Dalai Lama's Visa ( or lack of it ).

Suddenly we all are experts on philosophy, theology, history and a host of other subjects. Twitterland was abuzz, with Visa supporters on one side, and opponents on the other.  And the ANC government was made to look so foolish, even 'ol Julius would have been envious of.

Bishop Desmond Tutu

As if matters wasn't bad enough, then came The Bishops, thunderbolt press conference. I was glued to my Yaris seats, on the way home from work, listening to his menacing warnings - 'Watch Out...Watch Out...Watch Out Zuma'. One almost sensed President Zuma shifting nervously in his Lazy Boy couch, watching all of this unfold.

What to make of all this? Well here's my 2c worth. I was one of those who initially strongly felt that our local ANC-bashing media ( Mail & Guardian, City Press & Co. ) was, as expected, making a meal of it. The ANC insisted that the Dalai's visa application was being processed, with the media & the Dalai Lama's spokesperson saying that they were unduly being delayed. Big deal, I thought, the Dalai Lama is not exactly a diplomat, so it's probable that the government was processing it in due time. Then the rumours began that Beijing was pressurising Pretoria, into denying the Dalai Lama's visa, for obvious reasons. And suddenly, as one tweep put it - China was the new 'C' word.

I am generally very proud of our current government. I think they are doing a sterling job in very uncertain and trying times. Just look at how well we came through the Big recession in 2008. Thanks to positive pro-active legislation like the National Credit Act, we were saved from being exposed to many of the harms that other, economically advanced, first world countries faced. And then, there is the real freedoms, that we enjoy in our beautiful land. Being a Muslim, I don't think there's any other country in the world right now, that a Muslim can practice their religion, freely, without harassment, or hindrance as in South Africa.

Nevertheless, I now feel that, once all the hullabaloo started, the ANC could have put it all to rest, by just granting the Tibetan leader, his visa entry. If not for his sake, then for our dear stalwart, Bishop Desmond Tutu. I mean, surely we've bent the rules previously for others, so why not just expedite the affair, so that South Africa can breathe a bit easier and get on with other more important issues in life.
Then there's the small issue of China. This on it's own is a whole new blog or two, but if there were any truth in the rumours, that our R20 Billion trade deals with China was at risk, if we let the Dalai in, then here again, is where the ANC should have taken a stand. China is, and can never be our benefactor or saviour in life. Yes, we value their investment in our country. And there is much to learn from them, in the way they have built up their economy to be the powerhouse that it now is. But they will never be the make-or-break of our land. Only we will. We as South African's, by learning, educating, building and working together, will determine how successful a nation we can become. There are bigger things in life than mere dollars and rands. This is not what makes a nation great. It is a nation built on justice, principles, freedoms. It is making this a land, that we are all proud to be part of. And once we all start enjoying who we are, then yes, the money will come in time, but more importantly, we would have set a sterling example for generations after us. This is priceless.

Let's not waste Ramadhan, online

Flickr: omaQ.org & Red Frame Memories

One can almost feel it in the air already. The blessings, mercy, 'sakina', of the most blessed of months, Ramadhan. Everybody's experience of Ramadhan, is no doubt different and unique. In different parts of the world, Ramadhan takes on a whole new flavour. Besides the obvious obligations of Fasting, the sunnah of Taraweeh, the feeding of the poor and needy, I think Ramadhan should be about connecting, contacting and building a relationship, not with another Facebook or Twitter friend, but with our Most Merciful Almighty Allah. 

I write this, in the hope that some of this will affect me first of all, for I am guilty of wasting precious moments of Ramadhan, too often in the past. And as our esteemed late Moulana Yunus Patel, used to always remind us, 'If the Kings and Emperors of this world, tasted some of the sweetness, that a close and intimate relationship with Allah brings, they would offer their kingdoms as ransom in exchange of it.' 

All it takes, is a little effort on our part. The books of Hadith makes mention in one narration, 'If we come walking towards Allah, He comes running towards us.' Our Nabi (Peace be upon him), was someone who used to literally swim among the ocean of people. But during Ramadhan, he chose to seclude himself and dedicate himself totally to befriending and communication with Allah. Not that he needed to become any closer to Allah, but as a lesson for his followers to come, that this is how Ramadhan should be spent. In today's hectic paced world, we could all do with some spiritual spark in our lives. There's no better time than now. Wake up a little earlier for suhoor, perform two rakaah of Nafl prayer, just sit on that musallah, and speak to Allah, in whatever language it is that you know. As Moulana used to so succinctly say in his duas, ' O my beloved Allah, O my beautiful Allah..' 

So, in-between the samoosas, pies, milk-shakes and mandatory haleem, let's all make an intention, that we send that friend request to our Creator, at 2AM in the morning, when he is waiting for his most precious but most ungrateful of creations to turn to him.

May Almighty grant all of us, acceptance.  

Flickr: Feddah Ali

Frack Off, NATO Scum

Photo from Flickr: noeldouglasflickr

It's a new year, and with that a new NATO offensive. Libya. The war for pristine african Oil. Sorry, I should have said Humanitarian (sic) mission. In recent days, theres been an escalation of aerial bombings, British attack helicopters, targetted assasinations - all in the name of rescuing the poor, persecuted Libyan rebels. And yes, in case you wondering, we've had this plot before. Remember the Kurds of Iraq. Rescued by the Yewwnited States of America. Look how well that has turned out. Iraq is now a wasteland, with no credible government, and still teeming with daily clashes for power.

Libya, before NATO went in for the kill, had a per capita income of US$ 14,429 - highest in Africa. A Literacy rate of 76%. Life expectancy in years of 75. These figures will rival many European countries, which is probably one of the reasons NATO decided to invade the country.

Yet, the greatest trick NATO has pulled on us, is not financing and arming the rebels from the background, signing behind-the-scenes Oil contracts with them, should they be victorious, but the fact that they have a perfect faceless front that nobody can point fingers at. Who do you hold accountable for all the destruction ? Who do you put on trial for war crimes? Who is the villain ? In this regard, they have outdone the Pharoah of Moses, the Golliath of David, and even in our era, our very own Adolf Hitler. They have the perfect alibi. They hide behind the guise of a multi-nation peacekeeping force. One has to give due to where its deserved, and this is simply brilliant. Couple this with propaganda beamed to billions over worldwide sattelite news stations, and what you have is an open cheque book, to go and loot, pillage, and steal wherever they next fancy.

NATO in Libya. From Flickr: cvrcak1

But, the one lesson that they fail to take from past tyrants, is that every Phraoah will eventually meet his Moses. Look into the annals of history, into any scripture, and the message is clear. Yes, the world has seen the likes of NATO, Yewwnited States, Israel, before. In the end, injustice and oppression never survives. It's the way Almighty has created this Universe. Call it whatever you want to. Travel through the world, and look for the remnants of nations that were more mighty and powerful than any of these. Ancient empires that ruled over half of the known world. You'd be lucky to find a rusty old relic to bear witness to their vast empire. So NATO, take your shiny missiles and frack off. Before a day comes, when the people of the world will finally wake up to you, and like the ol school playground bully, rid ourselves of your scum once and for all.

CellC Whoosh - Slowest Internet EVER in South Africa

I changed my internet from Iburst to CellC, earlier this year. I was with Iburst for about 3 years prior to that. CellC, came out with their media-hyped new 3G - whoosh. Now Im tied in to R140 pm for a service I can hardly ever use. The connection totally reeks. On weekends, I cant ever get a connection that lasts more than 5 minutes. When it does, it is soooo slow - my old 56K modem dial-up was faster than this.

Please anyone, dont fall for this tell Trevor, media hype of CellC. Total fabrications and lies. Their internet is the slowest in South Africa!

Before all you CellC lovers get on my back - I understand maybe in central JHB, Yes it works fine, but theres more to great customer service than serving a small minority of people. I live in springfield - Durban - not far off from Durban CBD. so coverage should not be an excuse. They should include this disclaimer in all their hyped up media ads. Total hogwash. I tried contacting Trevor Noah, via twitter, and the SMS no. HAHA - what a waste of my time.

Grrr.. wish I was back with Iburst - better the devil you know than the one you dont.

The Rise of Muslim Media

I remember being glued to the images of the first televised war, the Gulf War, during 1990-1991. CNN beamed these mesmerising images into our living room, and the worlds first 24 hour news channel was born. I can actually recall fond memories of sitting next to my Dad, peppering him with questions and listening to his commentary on the war. I was in standard six at the time, and still too young to accurately grasp the reality on the ground of what it meant to be at war. This new entertainment as morbid as it was, was enthralling.

Then came September 11. This time though, I was a young man, working in a company where I was the only Muslim. I remember having to defend myself, my beliefs, my beard to my co-workers. They were fed daily doses of CNN's dramatic coverage of the attacks, George Bush's war on terror and the Taliban's harbouring of suspect no1, Osama bin Laden. And I grew ever more desperate. Every which way I looked, the media seemed to have a story of an Islamic terrorist, or a fanatic suicide bomber. I began to loathe opening a newspaper or switching on the news channels.

Somewhere in between all of this, Al-Jazeera English had launched. I believe the Arabic channel had already begun sometime in the 90's. But for me, the English channel was a lifeline - that all was not lost. I desperately kept hoping that more and more people in the west would turn it on - and see that Islam was not as portrayed on mass media up to then. The professionalism of the productions and presenters really impressed me. Something inside me, felt proud - Proud that a perceived "Muslim" broadcasting company could pull this off.

As many people have commented, Al-Jazeera has really come into its own, during their coverage of the Tunisia and Egypt uprisings. With them, there has been a host of Muslim bloggers, writers, reporters keeping the world updated on social network sites like Twitter. Names like (Twitter handles) @SultanAlqassemi, @Waelabbas, @Ghonim, @Monaeltahawy. And back home we've had @Azadessa, @Khadijapatel. And many more. These names are etched into our memories, together with the wonderful memories of Tahrir Square. But what has struck me, is that the epicentre of News in the world has taken a distinct shift. Doha, is a real alternative now, if you want your voice heard, and your views expressed to the world. For me, this is quite remarkable. Back then, in the dark days of post-911, it seemed a hopeless cause.

So I watch this silent revolution taking place, and hope that one day, Muslims will again be at the forefront, in this fast moving world. We always hear of the golden age of Islam, when Muslim thinkers developed the principles of Mathematics, Science, Literature. Somewhere along the way, we got lost. We concluded that Islam was to be confined only to the Musjid. And we lost our thirst to be the best. The west certainly overtook the Muslim world in this regard. But in these uncertain times of economic upheaval and capitalistic meltdown, I see a real place for Muslims, to take a leading role in finding creative solutions to the World's problems. And I have my hope back, and a spring in my step - Loading my English Al-jazeera site, proud to see Muslim names, making their mark in the World.

Today, we are all Egyptians

February, 11, 2011. What seemed impossible or improbable barely 18 days ago, has just taken place. Hosni Mubarak, ex-president of the ancient land of Egypt, has stepped down. I am sure that I share the sentiments of most people out there, that were following this whole drama unfold these last 18 days, when I say, it was a moment of such spontaneous elation and euphoria, the moment the news broke out. As it is in such times of great events, I instinctively picked up the phone and dialed my wife. "Have you heard? People are tweeting about it, Mubarak has stepped down!" Someone once said, the reason humans like sharing news like this is, it magnifies the experience while sharing it. I think they were right. Twitter exploded into expressions of joy, thanks, relief, mixed with wonder and amazement at what just happened. I was glad to be sharing this moment, and felt privileged to  have witnessed this great event.

 The ramifications of this #JAN25 revolution, as it has famously been referred to on Twitter, will be very, very far reaching, I am sure. One can almost sense, the uneasiness in all the other corrupt dictators of the world - wondering if their turn is next. The people of Egypt have shown us, the power of solidarity, of believing in their cause, of the immense power of this human will. I think today, I speak for all of us when I say, we are all Egyptians. You have done us proud, our brothers and sisters!

The 1st decade of the new millennium, began with September 11 - And that laid down the theme for pretty much the rest of that decade. This decade started first, with the Sidi-Bouzid, Tunisia uprising and now the  Meydan Tahrir, Egyptian revolution. Let's hope, Insha-Allah ( Arabic phrase meaning - With the will of Allah)  this becomes the decade of spring cleaning, of new leaders, of solutions to the ever-increasing challenges of modern-day life. It hasn't disappointed so far.

For now, lets just celebrate with the people of Tahrir. There is a time for everything. And lets remember the young and old, that gave their lives in this momentous victory.