Radke Land

There are two protocols for getting your email from a remote server that almost every email client out there understands. The most common is POP (Post Office Protocol), and the other is IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol). Radke land only IMAP(s). Read on for why/how.

Ok, let's compare the two protocols. Before we start comparing, however, we'll take a look at what they have in common. When Aunt Martha sends you an email, she's really sending the email to her ISP, with some instructions about what to do with it. Her ISP contacts the MTA (mail tranport agent) for your ISP, and delivers the message. Finally, your MTA (mail transport agent) hands to message off to your MDA (mail delivery agent), and it magically appears when you 'connect' with your mail client.

POP and IMAP describe exactly how the email gets from your ISP to your computer:

POP

Your client connects, all (or sometimes all new) messages are sent to your computer, and you're done

IMAP

Your client connects, all (or sometimes all new) headers (just the title, when received, etc.) are sent to your computer

If you want to read a single message, just that messages is transferred back to you

Enough of the mumbo jumbo, get on with it!

Ok, here's the straight pros and cons comparison:
POP:

• Messages are (most frequently) removed from the server after downloading. They are not available from anywhere but the computer you downloaded them from after connecting (this is a simplification) (Con)
• For every message, there is only one transfer (Pro)
• Messages are not backed up, unless you manage backups from your home system (Con)
• Messages must be sorted (folders, etc.) on your home system.

IMAP:

• Messages stay on the server, only headers are transferred. Quicker startup time. (Pro)
• Sorting your messages (into folders, etc.) is done on the server, though your client makes it look like its on your computer
• You can use exactly the same mailbox from as many computers as you like (laptop, desktop, cell phone, etc.) (Pro)
• Your mailbox (and how you organize it with folders or whatnot) is accessible from any computer that has internet connectivity. (Pro)
• Messages are backed up on a regular basis. Deleted items may be recoverable if needed (Pro)
• It is possible to deploy a web client (where you just use your browser to check/manage your email) to use this type of email (this is a simplification) (Pro)

There's one more tweaky detail. We actually use IMAPS (IMAP secure). When you connect to mail.radkeland.org, the initial login is encrypted with TLS, and all information transfers are encrypted. Don't worry too much about the details; the punch line is that your password is never sent 'naked' over the internet, and neither are your emails (betcha never thought about your emails flying around for anybody to read!)

When starting Radke Land, we wanted to choose only one protocol, since switching between the two can be a real mess. Its hoped that the above list shows why we chose IMAP.