The total number of copies can be as few as three (this includes the original document). Only two copies actually sit in the mail system - one in your out-tray and one on the mail server.
The following outlines the path mail takes when using PowerTalk:
1) A document resides on your computer's hard drive that was created in an
application.
2) You send the document to someone through a PowerShare server.
- a copy is retained in your out tray
- a copy of your document is now on the mail server
3) The recipient logs into the server to check his/her mail.
- the item is listed in the in-tray as remote. (Remote means that the
document is stored on the server only.)
5) The recipient selects the document and then selects "copy local" under
the mailbox menu.
- so a copy exists on the recipients hard drive now.
SO, if you set your mailbox preferences to age outbound mail for a short period of time, then mail in your out tray will just go away in 1-99 days.
How does this differ from other mail systems, Microsoft Mail for instance? MS MAIL stores outbound mail on the server, and not on the local machine.
Why does PowerTalk retain a copy in the out-tray? Because PowerTalk does peer-to-peer mail which eliminates the need for a server in some situations. If the recipient copies the document to his/her local hard drive, then the remote copy can be thrown away.
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