Who doesn't have an email address these days? If you don't...then you are probably on the wrong website...or you need to contact me so we can set you up with an email address right now. Anyway, now and again you will see email referred to using POP3 and IMAP. What the heck are they and how do they affect you?
A POP3 email account means that the emails are stored on the service provider's computers (providers like Telus, Shaw, Platinum, etc). An email client on your computer (programs like Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, and Windows Mail) then downloads the emails and removes them from the service provider's computers (unless the settings to leave a copy are turned on). That means that no other computer is able to receive the email after the first time.
An IMAP server is similar to POP3, except that your computer does not download the email, it all stays on the server and your computer only downloads the information for you to view. So when you send, receive, or delete any messages all the changes are done on the IMAP server. That way you can access the same email from any other computer that is set up to connect and it will be exactly the same. This is really useful when you want to check your email from multiple devices, like a laptop, desktop, or even from a public computer online (using webmail).
Where do you get an IMAP account? One option, Gmail, is a very easy, free, and user friendly email service that supports both POP3 and IMAP. There are also plenty of guides and instructions right on the Gmail website to show you how to set it up to connect to an email client on your computer. As an example, I use Gmail for my business email and have it synchronized between my laptop, desktop, and Google Android cellphone. Not only does Gmail handle my email, but it also stores my contacts and calendar information and keeps all my devices up to date.
So if you only have one computer, and never need to check your email away from home, then a POP3 would work just fine for you. If you want a little more mobility and freedom when it comes to reading your email then POP3 is capable, but IMAP is probably a better option.
EDIT: I recently discovered another difference between the two types of server. A POP server is not well suited to having multiple devices access it within a short period of time. When an email client accesses the account it is locked from other clients for a time. It is finally released after about a minute. This isn't usually a problem unless you a setup similar to having an email client on your computer and phone both checking your email frequently. One client can block the other and you will end up with errors. IMAP server do not have this restriction.
Brendan- The Man Behind the Curtain
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