CLC e-mail

A file is a collection of information which has been given a unique combination of three attributes…  ADDRESS… NAME… TYPE

e-mail messages are merely files…  Binary collections of information.

e-mail message files can be transmitted and received by personal computers (PCs) which have access to a network.

These computers need protocols to enable them to exchange files.

i.e.  They need to agree on how they will hook-up.

There are two main protocols for the e-mail service.  Both use the hardware of the Telecommunication Network, personal computers, and software to provide the necessary instructions.

(1)     One transfers messages from your file space on your ISP’s server to your computer’s message file space.  It also allows you to prepare and send messages to other file servers on the network.  One name for this protocol is POP3 (Post Office Protocol – Ver. 3).

(2)  The other merely allows you to read your messages via the World Wide Web… The www protocol.  You also use this protocol to create and send messages.  This is referred to as “Web Mail”; you use your Web Browser to access the application used to read and send mail.  Your messages reside on your ISP’s server.

Both protocols require software programs (stored instructions).  There are many different programs with many features available for each protocol.

At the CLC we use MS Outlook Express or Windows Live Mail to manage our messages and e-mail accounts on our server which is located in California.  This is POP3 or now referred to as Application Based e-mail.

For Web Mail we connect with our server’s account at the following URL.  https://www.hsvclc.org:2096    Discuss the pros and cons of each method.