I loaded Suse Linux 9.2 on my PC. I tried to set up both Kmail and Mozilla mail to retrieve mail from my Earthlik account. I set up both mail programs following the instructions and using the pop and smtp from Earthlink. I would receive error messages of could not find pop.earthlink.net or could not log on to smtp.earthlink.net or error messages to that sort. Now, when I log onto my Earthling Webmail, I do not have any messages in my Inbox. When I do get a message in my Inbox, it disappears after a time. Earthlink does not support Linux, but they tell me my messages are being retrieved to my machine. When I log onto a console and type Mail, I see a list of all my mail. What did I do that is retrieving my mail from Earthlink (and not leaving it on their server) but not letting it go to one of the email programs? If it's on my machine, how do I read it, reply, send? I'm stuck.

Both KMail and Mozilla have an option to leave the mail on the server. As for why it's not actually showing up in those programs, I'm not sure. Something really simple though probably, especially if they're actually on your machine. You're sure of that?

When I go to a console and type in Mail, all my messages would show up. I called Earthlink and they told me my messages were leaving their server and downloading to my machine, but they couldn't tell me which program or how. I have since deleted all settings in Yast Mail and Transfer Agent and now the messages don't download to my machine and they stay on the Earthlink server. But I still haven't figured out how to set up Kmail or Mozilla Mail. I have tried opening a port in the firewall and I use the settings Earthlink says should work. There is one piece (I think) of information I'm missing for these mail programs to work properly. When I change settings I either get an error message saying it can't connect to the smtp server or it can't connect to the pop server. I'm still tinkering but I can't find the missing piece of information. Thanks for you help.

you could just try disabling your firewall for a minute to verify if that's even an issue. As root:
iptables -F
iptables -A INPUT -j ACCEPT
iptables -A OUTPUT -j ACCEPT
If that doesn't work, check to see if the popd daemon is running. In Slack it's just ready to go but maybe for some reason your system isn't. Look in the services file (/etc/services) and find pop3 and smtp to see what it has to tell you about the ports. Also check inetd or xinetd files for pop3 and smtp. They'll show if those services are set to run and what prog they use.
Just my guess here. Let me know if any of it helps.