[iBook] POP or IMAP?

[Andy McMullin]

On 22 Mar 2006, at 06:22, Pat wrote:

> I've been having problems with my iBook, G3 and had to pay $50 for  
> help in getting it to work on both getting to the internet and  
> receiving Mail...all because it's not my main computer and hadn't  
> been used for a couple of months and had apparently lost it's  
> mind.  AppleCare had run out in Dec., so I had to pay for advice.   
> We got it up and running, but it is set on IMAP rather than POP and  
> I'm wondering what that will mean when I travel.  I thought it had  
> to be set on POP.
>

If your server supports it, IMAP has advantages over POP -  
particularly when you're travelling and/or using the Mac's mail  
application.

In summary, using POP your mail is downloaded and then removed from  
your host machine. The mail only exists on your local machine so  
should your G3 fail, you lose all your mail. You can't use another  
machine to continue working on the mail. In contrast, using IMAP the  
mail stays on your server and you just look at it. The mail and the  
folder structure you use to tidy things up all stay on the server. If  
your G3 fails, your mail is not lost -- you can still get to it using  
another IMAP client machine.

Of course, that's a gross simplification and ignores things like  
storage costs, default blocked ports on firewalls, network speed  
implications and the option in POP to retain mail on the server; but  
they are just technical complications that can be dealt with. It's  
also just my humble opinion -- but I hope it helps.

-- 
Regards
Andy, G8TQH
http://www.rickham.net/