Local eMail should be stored as separate <b>text</b> files, not as one huge compressed file.
The reasons behind this are as follows:
* <b>LEGACY</b> - As technology advances, formats are discarded, plain text is the only one that will stick around. Thus, this method will allow eMails to be read in the distant future without trouble.
* Easy storage and transfer of individual emails.
* Easy management of eMail files from a file manager (especially valuable for archiving purposes)
* Ability for multiple eMail clients to easily manage the same emails without worrying about file format problems.
There are of course many other individual reasons, but they boil down to two main themes.
1) Legacy issues
2) Archival issues
On current single compressed files:
The benefits of large single compressed files are smaller filespace and faster message searching. However, the filespace issue is moot considering modern storage capabilities in common use. The fast message searching could alternatively be done by a separate indexed file referencing separate email files. Thus, I do not see any big advantage in storing mail in a single compressed file.
eMail Storage
- Aqua.
- Posts: 489
- Joined: March 5th, 2003, 4:38 pm
- Location: North Carolina
- Contact:
- Aqua.
- Posts: 489
- Joined: March 5th, 2003, 4:38 pm
- Location: North Carolina
- Contact:
P.S.
This entire thread may have been irrelevant, the program may already use invidually stored eMails.
I admit I did not check before posting this thread. This thread was based on practices common to many eMail client programs.
I admit I did not check before posting this thread. This thread was based on practices common to many eMail client programs.
- Alex Bishop
- mozillaZine Admin
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: November 5th, 2002, 3:18 am
- Location: London
- Contact:
Re: eMail Storage
Mozilla/Minotaur/Thunderbird uses the mbox format. This standard format uses a plain text file for each folder that contains all the email messages in that folder.
Alex
- Aqua.
- Posts: 489
- Joined: March 5th, 2003, 4:38 pm
- Location: North Carolina
- Contact:
- whiprush
- Posts: 66
- Joined: November 4th, 2002, 10:06 pm
- Contact: