Ben,
there're some things a Web server provides that IMAP doesn't:
- IMAP is designed to retrieve "static" parts but a Web server
can dynamically process the MIME file and render it according
to CC/PP (WAP-174 UAProf). this is especially needed when
users can access messages from a diverse range of devices,
including voice via a POTS phone.
- HTML format in MIME is widely used for colorful messages and
better layout, that I think it's natural to have an XML/HTTP
(WML/WSP in the wireless network) design, which is now quite
fashionable, for multimedia messaging.
- IMAP is designed as a "pull" protocol, that the users have to
check mailboxes frequently, generating unnecessary traffic,
and especially for instant messaging. it's easier to design
a push protocol, currently "SMS notification + WAP retrieval"
in 3GPP for instant message delivery.
maybe IMAP could also be an option for retrieval, but XML/HTTP
is a powerful tool and has much more room to develop (SOAP).
* btw, the DoCoMo "one number, FOMA and MOVA (PDC) handsets"
is a good example of a bad design of wireless messaging.
the i-mode mail is a nest of problems.
many may think the low-cap telecom industry is only interested
in fencing out competition from the computer companies. that's
certainly true, but not always. there're a lot of issues that
the fixed Internet hasn't addressed, and people are working
together to solve them, gradually.
cheers,
Ken
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Received on Fri Jul 26 10:33:38 2002