The IMAP is not the territory?

Post date: 2026-02-20 13:29:46

I am considering moving a Eudora email user from POP3 protocol to IMAP. I have questions that I can't find answers to. I'm hoping the Mefites might have some of those answers

I'm pretty well versed in email technology but haven't really used IMAP, and of course Eudora throws an "ancient but still working tech" wrinkle into it. The email provider is Comcast, but I think it might not matter as long as they comply with the protocol. This is the "latest" Eudora, 7.1.09 I think, with the Hermes patches for SSL; on Windows 11.

First, I understand that IMAP holds mail on the server, and that there can be folders to organize mail - but IF the email client already has local folders ("mailboxes" in Eudora) would we have to create those at the server before switching from POP3 to IMAP?

Second, the current practice is to drag and drop email that's to be retained into mailboxes in Eudora; there are a few filters that do that automatically but mostly it's drag-and-drop. Are those actions done at the server, or done locally and then synced to the server?

Third, if you have used Eudora with IMAP are there pitfalls I should look for

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