IMAP SIZE - Email Backup
Should the situation arise where you would like to obtain a local copy of yor email for archival or offline viewing purposes, IMAP Size for Windows can help you out. This is especially useful for alumni whose accounts are due to expire following their convocation. Also, employees who are leaving their positions may sometimes be asked to leave a copy of work-related email for their successors, in these cases IMAP size can be used to archive a single folder from an email account.
IMAP Size - Quota Management
If you have received a warning from Information Technologies referring to your account being over quota or nearing capacity, please consider using IMAP Size to assess your quota useage. This software displays your folder use graphically and numerically so you can quickly see which folders are taking up the most space. Subsequently, IMAP Size can be used to archive the contents of those folders locally, so you can remove the mail from the server. Remember, only mail stored online counts towards your quota. Offline messages are not considered in the calculated total.
IMAP Size - Installation and Use
In order to retrieve a local copy of your email, the IT Support Centre recommends using an application called IMAP Size. The software can be obtained from http://www.broobles.com/imapsize/
Instructions for installation and use are available here:
IMAP Size Installation Instructions
IMAP Size Configuration Instructions
More in-depth discussions pertaining to use and configuration are available at the software author's website. Please take a moment to read over the FAQ available at http://www.broobles.com/imapsize/faq.php which includes references for copying mail from one server to another (eg: backing up your account to a gmail account) and moving email from Thunderbird to Outlook. (eg: pre-exchange migration)
Viewing Mail Archived By IMAP Size
By default, IMAP Size will store your mail in a directory tree which is identical to the one in your email account. The files which are downloaded are of the format .eml, which can be read natively by Outlook, Outlook Express and Windows Mail. This means that you can browse to the folder you archived your mail to and simply double-click a given message to view the contents.
Folders of messages in the .eml format can also be dragged and dropped into the offline folders section of Outlook or Windows Mail. This will import the messages into the program and they will be available on subsequent sessions.
Viewing in Thunderbird / Linux
For information on how to view your archived mail in Thunderbird, or to migrate your archive from a Windows PC to a Linux-based operating system, please refer to this tutorial.
Macintosh / Linux Users
Macintosh/Linux users who are unable to complete the above processes are encouraged to configure an email client as per The IT Email Client Instructions web site. Once installed and configured, drag your email to the "Local Folders" section of your email client. This will create a local copy of your mail which is available offline or without an active IT account.