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