POP or IMAP?

[Sam Vimes]

As I am, but having been called in our circle, several times to help others with their PC issues, I am aware most of these don't have that disciplined approach.

True....

Most of my friends don't have a clue about such things and continue to shell out money for more storage on Google or Apple when they get messages saying their storage space is full. Mostly because they can't work out how to organise their photos.

On the other hand the technology in consumer use is complex and many people don't have the time or inclination to understand how to use it effectively.

 

[GUMPY]

Actually you use both.

POP or IMAP are used to receive emails, SMTP is used to send emails.

My memory must be failing then,
I have memories of sending and receiving mail using SMTP but only to from a server, one of the reasons I had a mail server at home. POP3 allowed us to receive mail outside of the server environment it meant I could ditch the server

 

[Buckman]

As an aside, if using IMAP and the data is stored in a huge data bank along with a zillions other cloud stuff data, don't those data centres used a lot of electric? Then of course is the heat generated from these data centres, but I guess they found a way to dispose of all the heat generated?

 

[Sam Vimes]

Yes absolutely right.

Just think of all those bazillion photo snaps taken, posted on social media and stored then never looked at again.

AI is making this even worse because of the huge amount of processing power it takes. Not just extra volts but also millions of litres of water to keep them cool.

Of course there is consideration to using renewable energy sources and even small nuclear power plants to supply the bit barns. Plus investigation into how the excess heat could be used....supplied to homes perhaps.

 

[otherclive]

As an aside, if using IMAP and the data is stored in a huge data bank along with a zillions other cloud stuff data, don't those data centres used a lot of electric? Then of course is the heat generated from these data centres, but I guess they found a way to dispose of all the heat generated?

Various means are used to cool data centres, some more efficient and more environmentally friendless, but the laws of thermodynamics can’t be “ bucked”.

Data center cooling systems and technologies and how they work | TechTarget

Explore the various ways data center cooling systems can maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels to protect equipment in your computing facility.

www.techtarget.com