Hi and thanks for the prompt replies,
well you are right 11k messages should only take a few seconds but only if your mail server is in the LAN you are connected to. I am using google mail which supports IMAP and it is very slow to get emails. It takes about 3-4 mins for my 9,000 headers.

I am thinking of trying POP3 but I am wondering if it would have to download ALL my inbox. I certainly wouldn't want that. I only want my new mails from now on.

Any further input on the IMAP (or POP3)?
thanks again,
theodoros