Originally posted by: minendo
Originally posted by: Spooner
IMAP or POP
I really don't know the difference
IMAP allows you to read the mail in Outlook, OE, etc without downloading it from the server. POP downloads it off the server and it is then only accessible in the mail client.
sort of..... you actually still do download the message in outlook, oe. the mail's all stored in one big file, usually the client gets the list of all the emails including their status (read, new, important, etc), then downloads a copy of each message when you select it. if you delete it, it gets marked for deletion, then you have to expunge your mailbox for it to actually get deleted.
pop3 downloads all the messages at once (this is sort of an important distinction if you're dealing with large attachments and not so fast connection). usually it is then only accessible in the mail client thereafter, but most mail clients have the option of leaving the message on the server. but then you'll download those messages every time you check your mail, and they'll show up as new each time.