Not only do you have to "go get" information from forums while mailing lists
deliver directly to your desktop, you also can build a real sorting/filing
system using a proper mail client and server.

I've ranted before about IMAP vs. POP, but with a proper IMAP server (I
recently "outsourced" my mail to fastmail.fm instead of hosting it on a
Linux server in my basement, which I've done since around 1995...), you can
build server-side filters that sort the mail into folders (in this case,
"MIT-PIC-List") and you never have to see it in your Inbox, ever.  

When you're ready to read PICList mail, you open the folder on *any*
IMAP-capable mail client and read/reply, whatever.  

No having to "sync" anything, or do anything at all to get organized other
than the initial setup of a SINGLE rule.  

In IMAP, all mail is stored on the server, all clients have the same "view",
and your desktop machines, mobile devices, and every client you use... all
have the same folder view and never need anything other than to be told the
login and password for your SERVER based IMAP account.

Works like a charm, when done right.  If you're reading multiple mailing
lists and having them delivered to your INBOX... you're doing e-mail wrong.

People will say they can do similar things with dorking around with their
POP3 settings to "leave mail on server", etc... but it's just not the same.
One mis-configured client and your mail will all be copied down to the
client and not on the server anymore.  It's ridiculous to use POP3 in
today's world, other than as a transport to pull POP3 only accounts into a
reasonable, useful, IMAP server.

Nate

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