Can you give a definition of a POP account (regarding emails)- what it is and how to use it & get it working.?

Question

I have been trying for years to get my head around it. I thought it was a way of collecting all your email accounts together, but.... not sure...

Answer 1

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 version, POP3, can be used with or without SMTP.

you can set it up in outlook express, outlook, and others. you need to know the host name or ip address of the pop3 server to do this, your email account name and password are needed as well.

Answer 2

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define: XYZ
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Here is POP3 Defination :)
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Definitions of pop3 on the Web:

POP3 is the abbreviation for Post Office Protocol - a data format for delivery of emails across the Internet
www.spampal.org/usermanual/glossary.htm

(Post Office Protocol)
www.hostitcheap.com/support/glossary_popup.html

An e-mail protocol used to retrieve e-mail from a remote server over an Internet connection.
www.sec-1.com/glossary/p.html

Post Office Protocol 3. Mail server protocol commonly used on the internet.
www.scottygroup.com/glossary

POP3 is a commonly implemented method of delivering email from the mail server to the client machine. Other methods include IMAP and Microsoft Exchange. The POP3 server specified in a person's email program specifies where to look for email that is directed to a particular email address. This should never be changed unless told to by the ISP or company IT department that provides the email address. ...
www.wayport.net/support/glossary

Post Office Protocol 3. A protocol that provides a simple, standardized way for users to access mailboxes and download messages to their computers.
www.eudora.com/techsupport/kb/2148hq.html

Post Office Protocol 3. A protocol for retrieving messages across the Internet.
www4.dogus.edu.tr/bim/bil_kay/network/intranets/ch55.htm

Stands for "Post Office Protocol". POP, an alternative mail protocol used to service intermittent connections to the Internet whereby mail is held until the caller makes the connection and requests mail. Most SLIP or PPP account users will receive mail from a POP3 account using a program such as PC Eudora.
www.canadawebcenter.com/glossary.htm
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Answer 3

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) is the most recent version of a standard protocol for receiving e-mail. POP3 is a client/server protocol in which e-mail is received and held for you by your Internet server. Periodically, you (or your client e-mail receiver) check your mail-box on the server and download any mail, probably using POP3. This standard protocol is built into most popular e-mail products, such as Eudora and Outlook Express

the advantage is with pop3 that when you receive your email via outlook or other programmes they are stored on your pc to read when you like and deleted off the sever thus stopping you from getting a full mail box most isp now allow both as in pop and web mail integrated so that you can read your mail anywhere then download to your pc when you get home

setting are usually on your isp help page
..an example from tiscali UK http://www.tiscali.co.uk/help/email/oe_settings_start.html
some isp also have automatic settings you just add your username and password and they will set up your outlook express for you (might have to turn of a firewall for this )

Answer 4

Step by step:
A server is a shared computer resource that a number of clients (Other computers) have access to.

A mail server is a server for the handling of e-mails

A POP server is a specific 'folder' where one persons e-mails can be directed to (Like a Letter box).

That is about as simple as I can think of. For the technichal background to it, go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_Office_Protocol