Question:
How do I set up offline public folders that are synchronized on a laptop that runs Outlook 98 connecting to Exchange 5.5?

Answer:
Have the users who want to synchronize the public folders copy those folders into their Public Folders | Favorites folder.

They can do this by opening the Folder List (View | Folder List) expanding the Public Folders folder and the All Public Folders folder, then dragging and dropping any they wish to synchronize onto the Favorites folder.

Once they’ve done that, have them expand the Favorites folder, right click on each of the folders they wish to synchronize and choose properties. They’ll be able to set synchronization settings just as they do with their private folders.