HTTP is a stateless protocol, meaning the client does not have a permanent connection to the server. That means you have to figure out a way to get in touch with the client. But since the server cannot initiate a connection with the browser, the client has to start the connection, but that's difficult since the client doesn not know *when* to start. So you've got(amongst others) two options:


1) Create an applet that has a permanent connection with the server. Applets can connect to the server they originate from.

2) Let the page refresh every n-seconds. For checking mail, every 1 minute would be enough.