how to move email to new system

[Luca Dionisi]

On 6/22/07, Default User <xyzzyx at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> In regard to the question of email being stored as plain text, how about
> this idea: email messages would be stored as plain text files, each
> message as a separate file. Email would be stored in one directory, with
> a subdirectory for incoming messages, one for saved, another for sent,
> etc.  It would be left to the email client to "index" the messages (or
> not) if it wants to, but must not alter any of the message text files in
> any way. So, backup and restore? Just copy directories!  Add and delete?
> Just like any other text file.  Easy and intuitive and smart, huh?

Are you trying to solve a problem of yours, or to suggest a new
mail format?
I don't think the issues on it are so easy for me or for you to understand
so that we could come up with a smarter design. :P
Take a look at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbox
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maildir
... just out of curiosity.