Accessing Email using IMAP

IMAP is the Answer. What is the Question?

Q. How can I get the following from my email?

• Ability to sort and store my email in multiple folders.
• Ability to access new email, as well as old email, from my Core unix account, from different PCs in the Core, and from home or on the road over the internet.
• Ability to access multiple email accounts from one client.
• Ability to use different mail clients (Netscape, Pine, Eudora, etc) to access email.
• Secure connection to the mail server.

A.Beginning February 1, 2002, the CSB Core supports access to email via IMAP. This allows you to accomplish all of the listed goals.

Understanding IMAP

For a cursory understanding of how IMAP operates, you can read the Overview of IMAP Implementation.

Converting to IMAP

It may be possible to use IMAP from some locations, while using other access methods from other locations. But we don't recommend or support that practice. Rather, you should switch entirely to using IMAP.

Converting to IMAP for POP users

If you access your Core email account from a PC or Mac exclusively, you use POP. Converting to IMAP should be relatively simple and gratifying. Follow the instructions for configuring Netscape 4.x (assuming you are working on a Core unix workstation) or instructions for configuring Netscape 6.x if you are working from a platform running that version.

Converting to IMAP for Unix Netscape/MOVEMAIL users

If you access your email primarily from unix computers in the CSB core, you probably use MOVEMAIL or a similar program. This procedure will allow you to switch to using IMAP.

Converting to IMAP in uncertain circumstances

See one of the CBS Core support staff.