(Note: We strongly recommend that you use only sync utilities (such as those listed below) that let you review changes before they're made; otherwise, you run the risk of wiping out your precious data in one fell swoop.)

1. Exchange users: Just go online.
If you have a corporate installation of Outlook--that is, you use an Exchange e-mail server--Outlook actually does a very good job of keeping the Inbox in two machines up-to-date. However, this method doesn't work for your archive folders (see Tuesday's terror). So...

2. Sync your PST files.
Syncing up every Outlook contact, appointment, and e-mail between two PCs sounds like a daunting task, but we found a couple of utilities to ease the pain. OutlookSync scans just about every Outlook item, including all of your mail folders, appointments, tasks, notes, and contacts, and it creates a relatively small data file (in our tests, the file was about a tenth the size of our Outlook PST file). You then copy the file to a CD or a flash drive and transfer it to another PC that has OutlookSync installed; the program will sync all of your calendar items, to-dos, and address cards. Need your e-mail synced as well? Try Easy2Sync, a program that compares the Outlook PST files for your two PCs, copies over new messages, and even syncs up any changes to your mail folders.

3. Sync online.

A synchronization tool such as Intellisync can save you from having to copy giant PST files back and forth.

If you need to keep only your appointments, contacts, and to-dos synced between two machines, consider using Intellisync for Yahoo to sync up your Outlook info with Yahoo's calendar, contacts, notepad, and tasks. Intellisync features a series of conflict resolution options and will check in with you before deleting, adding, or otherwise changing your contacts and appointments. Once you've synced your office PC with Yahoo's services, you can sync up the Yahoo info with your home PC. The only challenge is remembering to sync up at the beginning and end of each session with your respective systems, lest you erase any changes by mistake.