| While email has many advantages that have | | | | needs and tastes, they need to select the email |
| enabled it to take the world by storm, accessing | | | | client software that suits their requirements. |
| email through a web browser has some | | | | Examples of email clients are software applications |
| drawbacks. By using an email software client, the | | | | such as Outlook Express or Eudora. Once installed, |
| convenience of email can be fully realized. | | | | all the email clients have a configuration phase in |
| If not using an email software client, people must | | | | which the user needs to configure the accounts |
| use a browser to check whether they have | | | | by entering the authentication information after |
| received any mail. However, many find this | | | | identifying the provider. They will also need to |
| process quite cumbersome at times. If the | | | | specify the kind of protocol that the mailboxes |
| internet connecting is lagging, the process can be | | | | use. Most mailboxes use POP3 protocol, while |
| excruciatingly slow. Additionally, once users have | | | | others may use IMAP protocol. This step is |
| logged out of their mailboxes or close their | | | | essential as it ensures that the client software |
| browsers, they no longer have access to their | | | | interacts with the mailbox in a way that it can |
| emails even though they may need to refer to | | | | understand and transfer the mail. |
| these mails again and again | | | | Once configured, the mail client takes over |
| The solution to these problems is available in the | | | | everything. It can be used to store mails locally, |
| form of commercial or freeware email client | | | | send fresh messages or reply to messages, |
| software. With these, the email is downloaded | | | | automatically send/retrieve mail, monitor multiple |
| onto the computer so it can be quickly accessed | | | | mailboxes and a host of other actions. Mail clients |
| even when the user is offline. This enables users | | | | also allow people to set priority, flag messages, |
| to go back and check any message in seconds. | | | | send/request acknowledgments for mails and |
| Of course, this option is best used on a home | | | | have access to different email accounts using the |
| computer and not on public computers such as | | | | same software. |
| those in libraries. A web browser should be used | | | | These are just some features offered by major |
| or the messages will be left for anyone else who | | | | e-mail clients. There are plenty of other options |
| uses the computer to see. | | | | and features that one should explore to get the |
| Email client software can help people access their | | | | most of the software. For most, the features |
| email and store copies of their mails locally for | | | | offer a lot of advantages over simply accessing |
| future reference. Since everyone has different | | | | email from a browser. |