GNU Info

(gnus)Choosing a Mail Back End

---

Prev: Not Reading Mail Up: Getting Mail

---

Enter node , (file) or (file)node

Choosing a Mail Back End
------------------------

   Gnus will read the mail spool when you activate a mail group.  The
mail file is first copied to your home directory.  What happens after
that depends on what format you want to store your mail in.

   There are five different mail back ends in the standard Gnus, and
more back ends are available separately.  The mail back end most people
use (because it is the fastest and most flexible) is `nnml' (Note: Mail
Spool).

Unix Mail Box

Using the (quite) standard Un*x mbox.

Rmail Babyl

Emacs programs use the rmail babyl format.

Mail Spool

Store your mail in a private spool?

MH Spool

An mhspool-like back end.

Mail Folders

Having one file for each group.

Comparing Mail Back Ends

An in-depth looks at pros and cons.