To begin setting up OS X's Mail application as your mail client, first open the Apple menu and select System Preferences...
Once the System Preferences window loads, click on Internet to load the Internet Preferences.
In the Internet Preferences window, click on the Email tab, and set the default mail client to Mail. Then close the window and open up the Application called Mail.
In the mail program, click on the Mail menu, and select Preferences...
Under Accounts in the Preferences window, click on Create Account to create a new mail account.
The Account type is a POP Account.
Description: - This can be anything you wish, but should be a name that will help you recognize the account.
Email Address: - This should be your e-mail address.
Full Name: - This is the name that you wish people to see when receiving e-mail from you. It can be your full name, or a nick name.
Host Name: - This should be the name of your local incoming e-mail server name.
User name: - Usually the first part of your @domain.com e-mail address.
Password: - This is the password for your e-mail account.
SMTP Host: - This should be set to your local SMTP server name.
Next, click on "Account Options."
The account options screen is just that -- optional.
Make sure that you have checked Enable this account. Otherwise, you will not receive any mail from this account.
Most settings on this screen should be left as is. You can check the box for Delete messages on server after downloading to help keep your mail box clear, but it is not advised if you check your e-mail from more than one location.
Once you've entered the options you want, click OK and close the preferences window. Now, you can click on the Get Mail icon, and, provided you have mail on the server, the Mail application will download a copy of that mail to your computer.
