Location of Notes Database Files and Unread Marks

Forgive me for asking a fundamental question (as I have tried to research this to no avail), but can anyone tell me if a Notes database has to be in the Data directory in order for unread marks to be maintained correctly? Especially for the count that displays on the Notes db icon on the Notes Workspace.

I have three users who are having strange unread mark activity and am trying to figure out the problem. I have read many of the technotes involved with unread marks but none seem to fit the situation. However, I do have a user who’s mail file is outside the Notes\Data directory.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Subject: Location of Notes Database Files and Unread Marks

if a database is not in the notesdata it can still work but it can not do things like the compact from the database properties, etc.

It is recommended for the databases to be within the notesdata directory.