Sharon Johnsn said:
I cannot send email because I do not understand POP3 or IMAP
Sorry, but that's probably not why you can't send mail. The reason you
can't send is likely that you haven't entered the settings correctly.
It's not really necessary to know what they are or what the difference is
between POP and IMAP.
What is necessary is to know which one you're using so you can enter the
settings in your mail client correctly.
Often, you just have to pick the one that is most appropriate to your needs,
and is supported by your mail system.
This information comes from your ISP or email provider. It isn't part of
Windows or any mail client, and nobody else knows what the correct
information is for your email accounts since nobody else knows who the mail
provider is.
Your ISP or mail provider will have detailed information about how to set up
various mail clients with their mail system. Windows Mail sets up almost
exactly the same way as Outlook Express, if the provider doesn't have
Windows Mail details.
For information, the key difference is that with POP mail, mail is
downloaded to your system from the server, and mail you send is also on your
system, and not on the server. With IMAP, the mail stays on the server,
both received and sent mail. While this makes IMAP potentially better
for mobile solutions, it also means that the server space can fill more
rapidly, and accessing the mailbox can be slower (which increases cost if
you're reading from a mobile device like a phone and pay by the minute).
And it means that with IMAP, you *have* to be online to read the mail, even
mail you've read before.
On the other hand, if you use POP and don't back up your mail, it can be
lost.
HTH
-pk
