thanx guys, i eventually found it under: (w2k box)
docs & settings
administrator.computername
local settings
application data
microsoft
outlook

on a w98 box, 'find files & folders' will not even find any .pst file - no matter where you put it! dunno why they hotwired it not to find any??

the 'net folder' thing will only share it over the internet with someone already listed as a contact with an email address. wierd how ms tries to make simple things so difficult. i am surely not the first dimbulb on this rock to want to share contacts on an office network?

best - john