Re: POP3 "resume download" extension

> > 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.

what I had in mind was being able to download a message in chunks with a 
fairly easy way for the client to say 'stop sending any more chunks'.  
having the client close and reopen the connection is slow and wasteful.
so if the client can ask for (say) the first 50k, then the second 50k,
etc. and the user wants to stop downloading after a few seconds, then
all the client has to do is stop asking for more chunks.  but it seems
like you do want to be able to pipeline it.

Keith