[access-uk] Re: IMAP AND/OR POP3
- From: "Ibrahim Gucukoglu" <ibrahim_gucukoglu@xxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 04:35:47 -0000
Hi Carol.
Take a look at this information I pulled from my mail provider's frequently
asked questions. I believe it covers most of the reasons and differences
between the two protocols. You'll have to find out whether imap is provided
with your email service, as some only provide pop access.
POP is a very simple protocol that only allows downloading of messages from
your Inbox to your local computer. Generally, once transferred, the email is
then on your local computer and is removed from your mail server (it is
possible to leave them on the server, but they all stay in the Inbox).
IMAP is a much more advanced protocol that allows you to see all your folders
on the mail server , and quickly view subjects and message bodies of emails,
but delay downloading of larger emails (such as those with attachments) to a
later time if you want. IMAP also allows you to synchronise mail folders
between your home machine and on the web, so that you see the same folders and
messages wherever and however you access your email.
IMAP
POP
Flexibility Can view just message headers, and then choose which messages
to download Have to download all messages at once
Can delete/move a message without having to download it Have to download
all messages
Can download just text body of a message Have to download entire message
(including any large attachments)
Synchronisation Can view messages in all folders Can only download
messages from Inbox
Any changes made via web interface or email software (eg move message,
add flags, etc) appears in the other automatically Once downloaded, changes
only made on local email software
Can access messages both at home/work, and on the road through the web
interface Once downloaded, can only access messages at home/work
Safety All messages kept on FastMail.FM servers, including realtime
replication to a backup server, and nightly incremental backups of all emails
to yet another server kept for 1 week Once downloaded, copy only exists on your
local computer, if it crashes, email is lost (it is possible to leave messages
on the server, but all messages stay in the Inbox)
To understand the power and usefulness of IMAP, we recommend you look through
the following example usage scenario using Outlook Express.
If you feel you need further help or explanation, please feel free to email me
privately and I'll be happy to talk to you by phone about the options and
benefits open to you.
----- Original Message -----
From: Carol Pearson
To: Access UK Mailing List
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:48 PM
Subject: [access-uk] IMAP AND/OR POP3
Hi all,
Having decided to take some email on my phone, I am wanting to understand
more about the differences I will experience if I decide to use IMAP as opposed
to POP3 for my NTL and Googlemail accounts.
I understand, basically, that it's reckoned that IMAP is more stable (not
giving extra copies of mail where this sometimes occurs with POP3), but I need
to know more specifically how this will affect my day to day working. I don't
use Google online but still much prefer to download to Outlook Express. In the
case of POP3, everything comes into my In-box unless I specify to the contrary.
Will this be the same with my Outlook Express if using IMAP?
Do I need to set my phone and computer(s) all to use IMAP to get everything
working correctly?
Thanks for anything that you can offer on this.
--
Carol
carol.pearson29@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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