IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a method of accessing electronic messages kept on a remote mail server. Alcor can be used as such a mail server (or IMAP server); if you have an Alcor account, and a networked machine running IMAP client software, you can read your mail via IMAP. (By "networked machine" we mean one that's permanently connected to the Concordia network, one that's running SLIP or PPP over one of Concordia's Dial-up facilities, or one that's connected to the Internet via an Internet Service Provider.)

The settings: The IMAP server should be alcor.concordia.ca. The SMTP server should be smtp.concordia.ca if you will be connecting from within the Concordia network. However, if you will be connecting from an ISP, then you must use your ISP's SMTP server to submit mail.

Your user ID is your Alcor user name.

A number of IMAP capable clients, including Microsoft Outlook, Netscape Messenger and Eudora, have the capability to perform their connection to the IMAP server over a secure, encrypted connection (SSL). If the software you're using has this capability, it's very strongly recommended that you make use of it, to help protect your password as it travels over various networks.

If you are using an IMAP client, you can organize your mail into various mail "folders" which will be kept in your home directory on Alcor. This will not only keep your incoming mail folder clean, it will also reduce the likelihood that a message sent to you with a large attachment sends your account over quota.

Finally, there is a newsgroup dedicated to the discussion of IMAP capable software, where you might find some helpful information.

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Copyright, © 2005, Concordia University, (IITS). Author: Sylvain Robitaille Credits: Dana Echtner & Anne Bennett Maintained by: webdoc@alcor.concordia.ca Last update: 2004/03/10 -- Sylvain Robitaille