wrote:

I had a weird experience that maybe someone can explain. Before I left
for work two days ago I read my email and closed Outlook (I know I
did--I double checked). At work later on I checked my email via
webmail and the inbox was empty-- unusual. When I went home I opened
Outlook and found many unread emails that had come in during the day,
arriving well after I had closed Outlook and left home. How is it
possible that Outlook can download mail even if it is closed?

It's not possible for Outlook to download mail while it is closed. It it
appears to have happened, then Outlook must have been running even though
you thought it was closed. There are many things that can keep Outlook
running even when you believe it's closed, like a cradled PDA. A partial
list can be found he
http://www.slipstick.com/problems/close.htm
--
Brian Tillman