said by train_wreck:... as opposed to IMAP, which accomplishes the same thing (lets you login to & view your emails/contacts) but instead of downloading it to your computer, the mail/contacts stay on the mail server and are never downloaded to your machine unless you specify.
Actually, the only way that you can read IMAP email is when it is downloaded to your computer. IMAP is not read from the server. Ways IMAP differs from POP3:
• POP3 only downloads the Inbox; IMAP downloads all subscribed folders.
• POP3 normally deletes email from the server after download; IMAP does not delete email unless the user specifies.
• IMAP synchronizes local folders with the server.
The last surprises folks more familiar with the way POP3 works. When you delete email from any local computer, it is deleted from the server; and, thus, not available from any computer at the next login.