RealTown's e-MailHeaven

By Mike Barnett
CTO/VP of Technology
InternetCrusade's RealTown.com

When describing eMail products and solutions, we see many references made to the terms "client-side" or "server-side".

What do these terms actually mean?

I think a good way to really understand them is to define them and describe the differences between the two. I think you will find that it is actually easier than you think as the descriptions pretty much tell exactly what they are.

Let's start with "server-side", which refers to operations that are performed by the server in a "client-server" relationship. When something (a process, an application, a feature.) occurs on the "server" this is obviously referred to "server side".

While the term "server" seems self-explanatory (a computer that 'serves' out information), I think the confusion arises from the term "client"., which means any computer (laptop, desktop, hand-held, etc.) that you are using (usually for personal use).

An example of "client-side--server-side" relationship would be the behavior between the web browser (client-side) and web site (server side).

When you go to a web site on your computer, you use your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc). You enter a web address and the request goes over the Internet and finds the server that hosts the web page you are seeking. In this example, the browser is 'client-side' and the web site is 'server-side'. In this client-server relationship, the web server hosts the website files, the client hosts the browser that allows you to view the files.

How does "client-side-server side" apply to eMail?

Within the realm of eMail, certain features and functions are better handled on the server than on the client and vice-versa.

For instance, an auto-responder should be hosted on the server, rather than in your mail client. Why? Because the server is available on the Internet "24x7x365", so it can respond immediately (which is the purpose of an auto-responder), as opposed to your own 'client' computer which is typically only on the Internet when you are online and connected to your ISP.

eMail "Rules" are usually handled on the client side. After you download your eMail from the server, into your eMail client (Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.) the rules you have created from within the client will run. This includes any automatic sorting you may have set up, and sometimes, additional spam filtering.

In short, "server side" is everything that the server does to collect mail addressed to you and place it in an inbox. "Client-side" is the method you use to get to that eMail from your computer, whether it be via your browser accessing a web based eMail platform or your eMail client connecting to the server and downloading the eMail on to your hard drive.

I am sure some of you must have questions about the devices briefly mentioned here. And if so, don't hesitate to send questions to Mike@eMailHeaven.RealTown.com or visit the eMail Heaven community on RealTown.com to review other questions and answers.

See you online,

Mike

Mike Barnett is the CTO and VP Technology of InternetCrusade�. InternetCrusade is the creator and provider of e-PRO (NAR's only technology certification course) as well as the host of RealTown.com, the oldest and most respected social networking site in real estate. InternetCrusade also manages tens of thousands of eMail accounts representing millions of pieces of eMail on a daily basis.