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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?"

15 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 vitamine73 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Exactly, and if you want double protection for some important messages, just forward them (just those or all!) to a gmail account. You can set up filters to redirect mails from certain persons, or on certain subjects, or just everything, automatically!

    3. 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.

    4. Re:Just use IMAP by booch · · Score: 2, Informative

      I'd recommend IMAPS (IMAP with SSL) for a secure connection between your client and server. And a webmail client that accesses the IMAPS server as well. Whether you should do it yourself or subscribe to a service depends on how much time you want to spend setting it up (assuming you have the skills to do so -- it's not trivial).

      --
      Software sucks. Open Source sucks less.
  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

    1. Re:Gmail and pop by rider_prider · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This is what I do, it's just really easy, low maintenance and dependable. Also I am 100% sure google does a better job of uptime and backup than I will ever have time to do. Oh, and if I am really concerned about privacy, I encrypt, which is what I do regardless of whether the file I feel is sensitive is on my server or someone elses...

  3. IMAP Webmail by DrSkwid · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://fastmail.fm/

    I use it from my latop / desktop / web browser / Nokia 6600
    etc. etc.

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  4. one of the many solutions by Beatbyte · · Score: 2, Informative

    leave a copy of the messages on the server and have both the workstation and laptop check them. set them to delete the messages after 7-10 days or whatever time period you think would be sufficient for both places to check the mail.

    --
    Get paid to code OSS
  5. 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.

    --
    Chaos is Divine *
  6. Imap is the way to go by CAPSLOCK2000 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Your IMAP suggestion is the way to go.
    Here's the recipe:

    use fetchmail to get your mail from all the mail accounts you might have,
    use spamassassin to check your mail for spam,
    use clamav to check for virusses (if you are on Windows, like you are),
    use procmail to filter the mail to seperate folders,
    set up imap so you can read the mail from any mailclient without removing it from the server,
    install some kind of webmail so you can reach your mail from internet-kiosks and other places with browser-only access.
    Finally, BACK IT UP! Bacula is quite good.

  7. Remote Desktop by jelevy01 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Really easy, really simple. Just use remote desktop and connect back to your home machine. I have been doing this for years and works fantastic. Not to mention it's an easy way to bypass any corporate website blocking too..

  8. Re:USB thumb drive by Nutria · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If it were me, I'd keep my mailbox on a USB drive and physically move it between each machine.

    Now that's a clever idea.

    Better encrypt it, though, since those things get lost easy.

    --
    "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
  9. 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. :)

    --
    Urge to post... fading... fading... RISING!... fading... fading... gone.
  10. Obligatory off-topic spelling flame ;-) by Sheridan · · Score: 2, Funny
    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.
    but why does "using only your laptop for storing e-mail" make you tired?

    Note that, in accordance with a long tradition of posts pointing out spelling errors, this post has not been previewed in the hope that it will then contain at least one spelling error.
    --
    I know what you're thinking, but I am not a nut-bag. -- Millroy the Magician