Is an Exchange server similar to IMAP?

[aphex]

I've always used POP3 until recently, when I started using my new VPS for e-mail, at which point i switched to IMAP. Haven't looked back since, love it.

Anyway, all my accounts are IMAP, except my school account, which i've been using POP3. It seems the school offers the ability to connect to the Exchange Server, should I go that route? Does it work similar to the IMAP? (i.e. all my messages are kept on the server, when i read it on one computer, it shows up as read everywhere)

 

[daniel1113]

I can't explain all the difference right now, but simply put, Exchange server provides a collaborative server, not just email. Therefore, if you are just planning on using the email features and nothing else, I would use IMAP. However, Exchange does work like IMAP in that messages can be stored both on the server and your computer.

 

[aphex]

Not sure if my school offers IMAP, they only list the pop server and the exchange server...

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I can't explain all the difference right now, but simply put, Exchange server provides a collaborative server, not just email. Therefore, if you are just planning on using the email features and nothing else, I would use IMAP. However, Exchange does work like IMAP in that messages can be stored both on the server and your computer.

Just to add to this, I would only use Exchange in a non-corporate environment if the server is 2003 and has RPC over HTTP enabled. This feature allows Outlook 2003 on XP to connect to Exchange over the Internet without a VPN connection.

 

[TSCrv]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I can't explain all the difference right now, but simply put, Exchange server provides a collaborative server, not just email. Therefore, if you are just planning on using the email features and nothing else, I would use IMAP. However, Exchange does work like IMAP in that messages can be stored both on the server and your computer.

Just to add to this, I would only use Exchange in a non-corporate environment if the server is 2003 and has RPC over HTTP enabled. This feature allows Outlook 2003 on XP to connect to Exchange over the Internet without a VPN connection.

what he said, which is exactly what im doing now...

im lovin exchange so far,... except the 6 hour'ish install and config of sbs, which ive done half a dozen times experimenting.

im comming from pop3 where my pst is 500megs, because i use it as a filecabnet (dont worry lots of backups), and centralizing everything so i can access it from anywhere is definatly a plus, plus all of the fetures other than email...

 

[aphex]

Ok, so it looks like Exchange is the way to go. Any ideas how i can get it to work with Thunderbird?

 

[daniel1113]

I am 99% sure you can't use Exchange server with Thunderbird, or any program aside from Outlook. You can only connect using POP3 if you are not using Outlook.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I am 99% sure you can't use Exchange server with Thunderbird, or any program aside from Outlook. You can only connect using POP3 if you are not using Outlook.

Dang

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I am 99% sure you can't use Exchange server with Thunderbird, or any program aside from Outlook. You can only connect using POP3 if you are not using Outlook.

Bingo. Exchange only works with Outlook and Entourage (Mac).

Exchange has one big feature over IMAP for regular e-mail use: server-hosted contact lists. I use a WM5 Smartphone and having a single contact list that's updated on both ends no matter where I make the change is invaluable.