Frequently Asked Questions on IMAP What is IMAP? IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol. It is a method of accessing electronic mail or bulletin board messages that are kept on a (possibly shared) mail server. In other words, it permits a "client" email program to access remote messages as if they were on their local computer. For example, email stored on an IMAP server can be manipulated from a desktop computer at home, a workstation at the office, and a notebook computer while traveling, without the need to transfer messages or files back and forth between these computers. IMAP keep messages individually on our server. When you open your inbox, you download message headers only. When you open a message, it's then downloaded to your local computer, so start up time is faster. Also, because messages are stored on the server, and changes are copied back from your local computer, you always have access to an updated mailbox. Why Should I Use IMAP? Until August, 1998, ACC provided only POP mail (Post Office Protocol). POP mail works best when one has only a single computer, since it was designed to support "offline" message access, wherein email messages are downloaded and then deleted from the mail server. Thus with POP mail, a user is essentially tied to a single computer for email message storage and manipulation. Key benefits of IMAP include: IMAP supports transferring attachments (such as Word documents, Gifs or JPGs, etc...) Allows users to access their e-mail messages from more than one computer. IMAP allows users to create, delete, and rename mailboxes; check for new messages; and permanently remove messages. What are the disadvantages of IMAP? Unless you copy your messages to your local computer, if your connection to your server goes down while you're working, you must reestablish a connection before accessing messages, even though you can browse the headers. Connect time can be longer because you must either be connected while you are browsing your messages, or you must reconnect every time you access a message you haven't read. NOTE: Email can be stored on the IMAP email server only for the short-term convenience of access from various locations. Do not use the email server for long-term email storage. If you must keep messages for future reference, download messages to a computer and store on a floppy disk, zip disk or on a directory on your hard drive. ACC will offer IMAP mail for anyone who would like to use it. If you have questions about IMAP or still need assistance, contact the Help Desk at 223-4357.