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Re: [ietf-smtp] offline mode, was Re: [imapext] Fwd: Request to form a new WG: JMAP

2016-11-15 17:05:02
On 11/15/2016 7:10 AM, Tony Finch wrote:
Is everyone here using the term "offline mode" to mean the same thing?

RFC 1733 defines "offline mode" to mean POP3-style delete-from-server.
"Disconnected mode" is the term for a client that has a local cache
or mirror of what is on the server.

Having had one of the earliest offline mail systems in the market place (even before POP3/IMAP/SMTP with QWK/OPX mail systems which still exist today), deleting backend mail from server was never was user right. It was more appropriate to save/record/remember "last read/download" positions in a mail database per user.

Approxomately no-one wants RFC 1733 offline mode. (Bah, the number of
times I have had to recover mail for someone who accidentally pointed an
offline-mode client at their account.)

Right, "Roaming Users" allowed you to "re-download" the mail but it depended on an option such as "[X] Mark downloaded mail as Received."

If checked, Roaming users will not get the mail again as they went from device to device, i.e. Home vs Office. If Off, each new device setup would get the mail again. This could put a strain on systems with automated mail maintenance, packing, archiving of "already received" mail.

How much do the necessary protocol features differ between a full-fat
disconnected mode client (a mirror on the client of the entire
account on the server) vs a poorly-connected mobile client which needs to
sync a smaller window on the account? Concurrent access to multiple
mailboxes? what else?

A mail "exchange" protocol should work both ONLINE and OFFLINE. The Offline mode should offer a near, if not full 100%, Emulation and Experience of whats possible online without violating the security, i.e. whats not possible online, MUST not be possible offline.

--
HLS


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