< messaging , protocol > (POP) A protocol designed to allow single user computers to retrieve electronic mail from a POP server . The POP server might be a computer with a permanent Internet connection whereas its clients might only connect to it occasionally, e.g. by modem .
There are (in 1994) three versions: POP, POP2, and POP3 . Later versions are NOT compatible with earlier ones.
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(1997-03-06)