> Is there any way of checking whether the network is responding so that I
> only run popclient when it is?
Try using `fping' on your network gateway host. e.g.:
if fping -q $GWHOST
then
popclient ...
fi
Or, if you prefer compactness (also good for crontabs):
fping -q $GWHOST && popclient ...
Substituting $GWHOST with the name/address of your gateway, of course. Better
yet, substitute the name of your POP server.
--
Robert Leslie
rob@mars.org