Pop Before Smtp

[mikeeve]

The requirement POP must be performed before SMTP before using my hostpc domain name (mail.mydomain.com) was mentioned in another thread. I've been fighting with my hostpc send mail today (again!), and wonder if this is what I've been dealing with. So here are some questions whose answers might help me and others out:

What is the error message if a POP is not done before the SMTP?

Must each SMTP be immediately preceded by a POP, or can I do
POP...SMTP...SMTP...SMTP ?

Is there a maximum time allowed between POP and SMTP?

Is there any email client that always forces a POP before the SMTP? Apparently, Outlook Express doesn't.

Thanks,

Edit: Just found a link talking about timeouts between POP, SMTP
POP before SMTP (http://www.iecc.com/pop-before-smtp.html)
This mentions delays from 15 minutes to 1 day between the two.

Edit 2: My problem is I usually leave Outlook Express open in the background, checking for messages every 30 minutes. By checking for messages every 10 minutes, it looks like I'm beating the POP...SMTP timeout.

[D9r]

I don't know, but that article was last updated 5 years ago so I'd look for something more current. But then again, maybe nothing's changed since 2000. As I said -- don't know. ;)

(edit) Ooo, neato -- free graph paper. I'll have to try that. Thanks!