Shoutbox

Indeed... don't make the fault in turning it around....

POP3 email isn't based upon webbased email...
And webbased email isn't the "original" mailsystem...

POP3 email is used more by far more people, just because it is real email with a real protocol (like IRC a protocol is, like HTTP a protocol is, etc...).

Webbased email is created because then you could access your email within your browser (and thus everywhere). The big downside is, everything is done via the browser and thus it doesn't have a real protocol of its own and you always have to start up a browser*. Also, it is very limited in use in comparisson with POP3 email... that's also why you can get webbased email for free on so many places. POP3 email is useual not free and comes usely with your ISP provider.


*Some programs (like Outlook (express)) can also handle webbased email. But in fact, they still need a "HTTP"-connection to catch the email, although you don't notice this of course (; you don't see a browserwindow popping up).


edit: raceprouk, yep