TechiStuff

Few e-mail programs are really user friendly. They use acronyms and terminology that isn't explained, and refer you to your "network adminstrator", ignoring the fact that there are millions of users who don't use "network administrators".

Here is my attempt at "E-Mail Techi Stuff Made Understandable":

Protocol: An agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices. The protocol determines the following:

the type of error checking to be used

data compression method, if any

how the sending device will indicate that it has finished sending a message

how the receiving device will indicate that it has received a message

There are a variety of standard protocols from which programmers can choose, each with particular advantages and disadvantages. Some are simpler than others, some are more reliable, and some are faster.

From a user's point of view, the only interesting aspect about protocols is that your computer or device must support the right ones if you want to communicate with other computers. The protocol can be implemented either in hardware or in software.

For the home user, and most small businesses, software implemented protocols are the only ones used, so that is the only ones I will discuss here.

SMTP: Short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, a protocol for sending e-mail messages between servers. Most e-mail systems that send mail over the Internet use SMTP to send messages from one server to another; the messages can then be retrieved with an e-mail client using either POP or IMAP. In addition, SMTP is generally used to send messages from a mail client to a mail server. This is why you need to specify both the POP or IMAP server and the SMTP server when you configure your e-mail application.

POP (this acronym actually has 2 unrelated meanings, just to make life more interesting):

1) Short for Post Office Protocol, a protocol used to retrieve e-mail from a mail server. Most e-mail applications (sometimes called an e-mail client) use the POP protocol, although some can use the newer IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol).

There are two versions of POP. The first, called POP2, became a standard in the mid-80's and requires SMTP to send messages. The newer and most commonly used version, POP3, can be used with or without SMTP.

(2) Short for Point of Presence, a location where you can get dial-up access. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) generally provide many POPs so that users can make a local call to gain Internet access. (This doesn't pertain to e-mail, but if you see the acronym used it this context, now it won't confuse you.)