Re: POP3 "resume download" extension

Anders Rundegren wrote:

> Not at all, this feature wouldn't break POP3's download-and-delete
> model, it doesn't change any states on the server either. It's in its
> own simplicity just an extension to the RETR command. I don't think
> adding this feature would make POP3 close in on the IMAP model.
>

Anders,

    I agree that this would be a very useful and simple extension.  I would
support it's definition.


Later, Keith Moore wrote:

> if you do define an extension for partial message retrieval I think it
> should allow partial message retrieval (e.g. byte count) rather than
> just resume.  that way, you don't have to drop a connection to
> get the server to stop sending you a message.  I also suspect it should
> be a different command rather than an extension to RETR - with the latter
> approach my guess is you're likely to run into some compatibility problems
> with old servers.
>

Keith,

    This also sounds okay, but it certainly could complicate deployment.  What
would the benefit be if the assumption (for a large message) is a binary
attachment?  Half a message just wouldn't do anybody much good.


Later still, Alexey Melnikov wrote:

> IMAP community spent several years convincing client writers to do this
> right. You have to convince POP3 server and client writers that they
> must add such functionality to their products.
>

Alexey,

    Yes, this is likely to be necessary, but it will either sell or it won't.
I don't think that should be a barrier to *defining* the extension.  Our
servers are full of RFCs and drafts that went nowhere in the final analysis.
Personally, I think that this will sell.  It provides a measure of
"robustness" in a simple package, and there is a great interest in buying
stronger, better, etc.

Chris



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