Rich in Poverty

POP3 vs IMAP

IMAP vs POP3

Below is an explanation of the general difference between the IMAP and
POP3 email protocols.

IMAP account

Using this protocol, all your mail stays on the server in multiple
folders, some of which you have created. This enables you to connect
to any computer and see all your mail and mail folders. In general,
IMAP is great if you have a dedicated connection to the Internet or
you like to check your mail from various locations.

POP3

With this type of email account you only have one folder, the Inbox
folder. When you open your mailbox, new mail is moved from the host
server and saved on your computer. If you want to be able to see your
old mail messages, you have to go back to the computer where you last
opened your mail.

With this type of account you do not have to stay logged on to the
Internet. You can log on when you want to receive and send new
messages. Once your new messages have been downloaded to your computer
you can log off to read them. This option is good when you connect
with your modem to DAS and are charged for your connection or you have
an older computer.

Leave mail on server vs. Remove mail from server

If you use the POP3 protocol and you read your mail from multiple
computers, you will want to "leave mail on the server." The reason for
this is so that the mail in your Inbox will be available to you at all
times. If you do not leave mail on the server, all the mail in your
Inbox will be downloaded to the computer you are currently using. If
you only read your mail from one location, then there is no need to
"leave mail on the server." You will see instructions on how to set
this option when you go through the steps to set up your email
program.

Why choose IMAP rather than POP3 with "leave mail on server"? With
POP3 "leave mail on server" only your email messages are on the
server, but with IMAP your email folders are also on the server.

posted by ken @ 2:39 PM