Frequently Asked Questions

What is an email client or program?

An email client is a program, such as Outlook, Outlook Express, and Thunderbird, used to send, receive, and organize you email messages.

What is web mail?

When you send or receive email via the Web, you are using web mail.  Web mail (for example, SquirrelMail) is a secure web page interface that allows you to send,  receive, and organize your email via a web browser that is connected to the internet.

What are mail or email servers?

Email servers, or mail servers as they are often called, are computers used to process, store, send, and receive email. There are different types of email servers. The most popular incoming mail servers are POP3 and IMAP. SMPT (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or ESMPT (extended SMTP) are usually used for outgoing email. Email servers work in conjunction with other programs to process your email.

Should I use POP3 or IMAP?

With a POP3 (Post Office Protocol) account, messages sent to you are stored on the server at your Internet service provider (ISP) until you connect and retrieve them. By default most mail applications will delete your messages from the server after they have been downloaded to your comnputer.

With an IMAP (Internet Messaging Access Protocol) account, your incoming email remains on your mail server until you delete it. You can read and manage your email from different locations no matter what computer you use to access your mail account. You may want to use an IMAP account if you usually read your email at more than one computer.

What is the difference between an Account Name and User Name?

Generally speaking, there is none. Account and user name (as well as account and user ID) are different terms for the same thing. They uniquely identify someone on a computer. Your account or user name is that part of your email address preceding the @ sign. For example, if your email address is jsmith@yourdomainname.com, your account or user name is jsmith.

Some email applications, however, use both an Account and User Name. In this case, the Account Name is a descriptive name you select to refer to the particular account you are creating. The User Name is that part of the email address which precedes the @ sign.

What is my login?

An account or user name is paired with a password. This combination is referred to as a login. Entering this information correctly gives you access to your account.

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