I'm trying to move away from Google and replace my Gmail account. But reading about the different options, I'm realizing I don't really understand email at all - e.g. the difference between the client and the domain name, the different protocols, encryption.

Does anyone have articles or books to suggest as a "Basics of Email: 101"? Thank you!

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] tofu@lemmy.nocturnal.garden 4 points 4 months ago

I don't have a book, but it's generally like this: providers offer you an email account. Usually, the provider also offers a website where you can access that email account ("webmail"). Some providers also offer mobile apps for access. Email accounts follow some standards, and almost all of them can be accessed via standard email clients (e.g. Thunderbird).

Most have a limited size for your account (e.g. 1GB) which has to fit all your attachments etc. If it's full, you can't receive more emails. Some have automated spam filters etc. Many are free, but their webmail usually contains ads.