Retracting sent emails...why isn't this more common?

[Errica]

Any idea why this feature isn't more prevalent with email applications (thunderbird, outlook express) and the freebies (yahoo, gmail, etc.)?

I have this feature at work using Groupwise and it has been helpful on many occasions.

[Fumigator]

Groupwise is a closed email system and has control over the recipient's email box. This is not the case with normal email. Once Thunderbird fires off an email, it is gone forever and Thunderbird has no more control. It's the same for all internet email, even using Groupwise-- if you send an email from Groupwise to an internet email address you will not be able to retract it.

[oracleguy]

Yeah, you can do a similar thing if you use Exchange server as well as long as the person hasn't read it. But it only works like Fumigator said, when the email is to someone on the same mail server.

[TheShaner]

When you send a letter in the mail, can you ask the mail carrier to later retrieve it if the person hasn't checked their mailbox yet? (no)

When you're in the office and you put something in someone's box, can you retrieve it if they haven't checked their box yet? (yes)

Same type of deal with the internet. Once it's delivered, you lose control over that mail, unless you're working in a closed environment/same mail server (like Exchange).

-Shane