Kmail thing is some kind of special. I usually use webmail but since I configured Kmail it runs in the background every time I use kopete. I don't see it in task manager (haven't checked ps) but I know it's checking mail as I get error dialogs when it cannot find server. Check this output when I run kopete:
rap@neonlight:~$ kopete
kopete(13791) Kopete::IdentityManager::load: Created identity "UHz4c9NERi"
kopete(13791) KDBusServiceStarter::startServiceFor: starting "/usr/share/applications/kde4/KMail.desktop"
kopete(13791) KDBusServiceStarter::findServiceFor: DBus service is available now, as "org.kde.kmail"
Please, send me link if you report a bug.
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Ramon Antonio Parada
Skype: ramon.parada
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