About HTTP

This page offers basic information about HTTP. You really don't need to know more than this, but if you want a more detailed explanation, I suggest you look at the relevant Wikipedia entry.

HTTP is short for HyperText Transfer Protocol. In layman's terms, HTTP is a set of rules that programs use to transfer information between a client program like your web browser (or Outlook) and a server computer. HTTP is the set of rules used by the World Wide Web. Some companies also use HTTP to provide access to mail.

HTTP as a mail protocol allows support for keeping messages and folders on the server and synchronizing them between Outlook and the server. See the Hotmail page for an example of the capabilities of an HTTP mail account.

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