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Email On Both the Desktop and the Laptop?

Posted by Cliff on from the shared-inbox dept.

RapterOfParadox asks: "I recently purchased a new laptop and have everything configured except for my e-mail. I've always liked having a single location where I know my e-mail is safe, secure and gets backed up automatically. If I've needed access to new messages then I use webmail, since I close down the email client when I leave the house. I'm currently using Outlook XP for my desktop and was thinking about using the same for my laptop. My only issue is that I'm a little weary about using only my laptop for storing e-mail, since it's a lot more likely to fail. I've been thinking about just synchronizing my Outlook data directories at login, or even using IMAP. Has anyone seen/bought/built an e-mail client that will allow me to have my main e-mail client on my desktop and then update my laptop e-mail client when ever I'm in range, or through a personal IMAP Server?"

7 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. Just use IMAP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's not a big deal. I use IMAP at home, at work, and on my PDA. Everything works fine.

    1. Re:Just use IMAP by DeadSea · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Agreed. Just run IMAP on the server, leave all your mail on the server, and make sure the server gets backed up.

    2. Re:Just use IMAP by syntax · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Seriously, this is the correct answer. I use IMAP from every computer I use. It's not nearly as flakey as past history might lead you to believe, it supports SSL, and just works. As a bonus, most webmail clients use IMAP as their back ends (beats having to manage mail spools yourself), so if you log into your webmail you get to see the exact same messages as on your desktop and laptop. Almost any serious mail provider offers it, and most actively encourage its use.

      All the other hackish suggestions offered don't concern you. IMAP does what you describe, and it's already built in and ready to use.

  2. Gmail and pop by HughsOnFirst · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Get a Gmail account, redirect all your mail to it, and fetch it from Gmail with a pop client

  3. What's wrong with IMAP? by Mazadillon · · Score: 0, Interesting

    I use IMAP for my email, the IMAP server is a commercial server in a data centre that is cared for by a team of full time administrators who back everything up for me and make sure it's all running ok. Takes the hassle out of it and means all your email is availiable wherever you are.

  4. Gmail/POP/IMAP by ErisCalmsme · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I use a combo of things to keep my mail in line. For my work and blog email I use IMAP since it's available. For my mailing lists I use gmail and pop it on my zaurus (running OpenBSD) via fetchmail, leaving messages on the server. This way gmail keeps a nice searchable archive for me, and thanks to procmail I have everything I decide to keep in folders on my zaurus. I can delete everything from my z if I want to and just keep items that are useful to me at the moment. I'm usually in a place where I can plug the z in and shell into it and use mutt from there (the cute little keyboard novelty wears off after about 10 minutes of reading mail). It might seem like extra work, but it's really convenient to have things on the pda so when I go I have the stuff in my pocket. Mutt handles my IMAP stuff well, and mstmtp is great for sending mail from multiple accounts (including gmail). After a while of hating the fact that I actually use 5 different email addresses, I've finally come to a point where it's managable. The best part is that I leave the pda fetching overnight so I can read the mail when I'm riding the subway to work in the morning.

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  5. I have the reverse problem! by CommanderData · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I have used nothing but a long stream of laptops since the mid 90's. Never owned a desktop until I bought one this fall. Originally I used Netscape for browsing and e-mail (v2.0 - v4), and later moved to Eudora (to avoid the perils of Outlook).

    With every new laptop purchase I transfer my mailboxes and data from Eudora to the new one. No problem there. My problem comes when I want to check e-mail across these two machines- Eudora obviously supports it, but I do not have IMAP available for my e-mail server.

    What to do then? I may take the laptop and be on the road for several weeks, but I want all incoming and outgoing mail synchronized between it and my new desktop. Ideas other than "find a new e-mail provider" are appreciated. :)

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