> From: Karen Swenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > maybe one of the list > gurus could describe POP vs. IMAP in plain language.
(warning: the following is highly oversimplified) Basically, POP means that when you check your email, it is moved from the server on which it's sitting (in my case, the mac.com server) and stored on my own hard drive, then that mail (once "delivered") is deleted from Apple's servers automatically. IMAP, on the other hand, keeps a copy of the email on your server until your email program explicitly tells it to delete. This is seen as a better way for modern-day emailers, as we can now receive mail at one location (say work), and still receive it at another location (say home) later, complete with markings reminding us which ones have already been read and replied to. Thus, POP essentially means "you manage your own mail, the server just brings it to you," and IMAP means "the server manages your mail based on instructions from your email program." Since I work at home and rarely collect my mail on the road (and when I do it's through webmail), I prefer POP, but really IMAP is a superior system and that's why most ISPs and email programs now prefer it. I hope that helps clear it up a bit -- there's a LOT more that could be said on the topic, but that's probably all (or more!) than you really need to know. _Chas_ Lee Gomes of the Wall Street Journal, 24-Jan-03 , commenting on Apple's growing arsenal of hardware, OS and software that is clearly superior to anything in the Windows world: "It's like someone forgot to send them the Resistance is Futile memo." -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
