Why do we make it so hard to set IMAP / POP accounts?????

Here's how you do it :-

PocketPC

  • Launch Messaging (Start -> Messaging)
  • Menu -> Tools -> New Accounts
  • Enter your email address (eg. user@microsoft.com)
  • Tap Next
  • You can tap Next again to skip auto-config
  • Enter your username and password
  • Tap Next
  • Select Account type (POP or IMAP)
  • Set incoming / outgoing mail servers and / or domain.  Contact your ISP for this information.
  • Tap Finish.

Smartphone

  • Launch Messaging (Start -> Messaging)
  • Menu -> Tools -> Options
  • Select New Account
  • Press Action
  • Enter name and e-mail
  • Tap Next
  • You can tap Next again to skip the setup
  • Enter username, password and domain, if necessary
  • Select server and account type (POP / IMAP)
  • Select the network (it is most probably the 'Internet')
  • Tap Next
  • Enter servers. 
  • Tap Next
  • Select options
  • Tap Next
  • More options
  • Next
  • Finish

Due to a bug active sync can only keep one account up to date.  So whatever happens to be the active account in Messaging is the only account that stays up-to-date.