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General discussion

Finding out whether it is POP3, IMAP or HTTP.

Sep 20, 2004 3:02AM PDT

Is there some fairly easy way to determine whether a particular email program is POP3,IMAP or HTTP? If not, what might be the best hard way?

While I'm interested in the generic answer if there is one, I'm specifically wanting to find out about ATT's email program.

Also, if I am adding an email program to OE, is there a standard way of dealing with providing the "Incoming mail (POP3, IMAP or HTTP) server" blank, and the the "Outgoing mail (SMTP) server blanks? That is, how should a person fill in these blanks for the different kinds of email providers?

I get the impression from some reading that there are two kinds, POP3 and IMAP. Yet, my Hotmail account is apparently HTTP. Maybe someone will provide some clarification about the different kinds of email programs.

Thanks, grandpaw

Discussion is locked

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Re: Finding out whether it is POP3, IMAP or HTTP.
Sep 20, 2004 3:20AM PDT

" Is there some fairly easy way to determine whether a particular email program is POP3,IMAP or HTTP? If not, what might be the best hard way? "

The program in question should tell. For instance Outlook Express can do POP3, IMAP and with a little instruction, HTTP.

"While I'm interested in the generic answer if there is one, I'm specifically wanting to find out about ATT's email program."

I don't have an "ATT email program" and found none on the web. Can you supply a web site that notes if so...

a. I can find it.
b. There is no doubt what this program is.

"Also, if I am adding an email program to OE, is there a standard way of dealing with providing the "Incoming mail (POP3, IMAP or HTTP) server" blank, and the the "Outgoing mail (SMTP) server blanks? That is, how should a person fill in these blanks for the different kinds of email providers?"

The first sentance of this paragraph is ill formed. If I take the whole paragraph and guess you mean "is there a program to manage OE accounts" I'm going to answer NO since such would be duplicating the OE features already.

As to the last question in that paragraph, the answer is that we fill in these blanks as we are told by each email provider. To speed such along, I put such in my DISASTER RECOVERY KIT on it's CHEATSHEET so I can reload everything and start filling in the blanks again.

"I get the impression from some reading that there are two kinds, POP3 and IMAP. Yet, my Hotmail account is apparently HTTP. Maybe someone will provide some clarification about the different kinds of email programs."

Oh, it's worse than that. Add SMTP, SPA, HTTP, and others too. And I'm sure it's not worth it to add anymore since it's all academic since we just need to follow the ISP's or email providers arcane instructions.

Bob

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Re: Finding out whether it is POP3, IMAP or HTTP.
Sep 20, 2004 4:51AM PDT

Bob, I am referring to AT&T's Webmail service which I got when I subscribed to the ATT ISP. The URL is at http://www.att.net .

Yeah, that first sentence does need some work, doesn't it? That's why I put in the second sentence.

My impression is that the info for the blanks I referred to will be standard, that is, the same, for each variety of email provider, POP3, IMAP and HTTP. I expect I could find that info somewhere on the web, but I just thought someone might know it already and be willing to pass it on. The email providers may have those instructions you refer to hidden some place, but the game of trying to find out where can be time-consuming; I think you'd probably have to ask for them and then hope you get a reply.

Excellent idea about saving the info when you do find out what it is and insert it in the form. Wish I could remember to do such as that.

Thanks, grandpaw

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About "WEB MAIL"
Sep 20, 2004 5:02AM PDT

Just like Hotmail, Yahoo and other Web based email, none require a "program" such as OE to use that Email system. It's not so much a program, but a web page that you point your browser to and "magic happens".

Just like most magicians, I can't share how it works...

Bob...

PS. I'm kidding, but you knew that.

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Re: About "WEB MAIL"
Sep 20, 2004 9:30AM PDT

I want my ATT email account in OE so I can retrieve both my ATT and my Hotmail Email together.

You're right. ATT does provide the info for filling out the OE form. But it's pretty well buried in the back stacks; however, given enough time, any persistent computer detective can probably find it. Or not.

In case it's useful to someone:
ATT is POP3
Incoming server is postoffice.worldnet.att.net
Outgoing is mailnet.worldnet.att.net.

Thanks for not sharing how it works. I've run across enough info about computers that I didn't understand. And I'm stil trying to figure out how I work. Or not.