Requiem

[Chris Adams]

> On Wed, 14 Jun 2000 10:32:21 -0700, Steve Lamb wrote:
>
> >I remember using IMAP in the late 3.x series
>
> I surely do wish some kind soul would explain to me the
> advantages of IMAP.  I can't imagine it being good enough
> to switch to a  <shudder> command line interface.

In a nutshell, it's server-based storage. Your messages are stored in
folders on the server along with status information.

When I check my mail with an IMAP client, only messages which I have not
read are listed as new. Using POP to leave mail on the server would result
in each message being downloaded as new for each mail client.

When I file a message in an IMAP folder, it stays there. Every IMAP client I
use will display the same folder structure with the same messages. I can
even configure qmail to sort my mailing list subscriptions directly into the
list folders on receipt, so they never touch the Inbox.

Lastly, IMAP is a much better solution for leaving lots of mail on the
server. Given the volume of business-related email that goes around, it's a
good idea. Most of my users have IMAP folders for each client containing
almost all of their correspondence with that client. This allows me to
backup all of this critical data on the server and allows them to have
access to everything they need to do business from any IMAP client.