From: Bonno Bloksma <b.bloksma@tio.nl>
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2013 10:26:39 +0000
Using IMAP means that the mail WILL be left on the server
unless the user moves the mail from the inbox
... IMAP is really useful because they can (re)read mail online
which they already "downloaded" to their PC. Users with multiple
client devices will see the same mail on all devices, with the same (read, marked, etc.) status.
...
If you just want them to get their mail then stick with pop3.
There is a way to have the advantages of POP3 and IMAP without
the disadvantage of maintaining storage for users who neglect
the mailbox. Offer POP3 and not IMAP and tell users to put
their POP3 mbox on a flash storage device which is kept with
the individual. Plug in the flash device and all the mail is there.
Retrieve the mail to the flash device by POP3 whenever
convenient. If the flash device is filled with old messages there
is no problem for the server. When network access is not available,
the messages in the flash are still there. It's the best of both worlds.
Regards, ... Peter E.