Software in the user's computer that can access the mail servers in a local or remote network. Also known as an "e-mail client," "mail client," "mail program," and "mail reader," it provides the ability to send and receive e-mail messages and file attachments. Examples are Outlook, Eudora, Mail and Thunderbird.
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E-mail programs are local applications that years ago had more features than Web-based e-mail, which uses the Web browser as the interface. As Web mail interfaces improve, there are fewer advantages of the stand-alone e-mail client. In addition, before mail can be retrieved, e-mail programs must be installed in the computer, and mail server addresses must be configured. In contrast, users can log into their Web-based e-mail from any computer in the world with username and password. Nevertheless, people get used to software, and it only takes one or two features in the e-mail client that makes it preferable to the Web browser interface. See Internet e-mail service, messaging system, universal client, POP3 and IMAP4.
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