Converting from nnimap to local storage

[jesseh@cs.kun.nl (Jesse F. Hughes)]

Hey ho.

I've finally decided that I'm tired of using an nnimap server.  It's
much too slow for my tastes.  The only advantage it offers is that I
can access mail from any machine, but I don't use that feature except
when I am on vacation anyway, so it's not worth the daily hassle.

So, I want gnus to fetch my mail and store it locally.  Before I do
this, I have a couple of questions.

I have the option of using a pop3 server here at work.  Is there
preferences between using imap to fetch my mail or pop3?  Are there
any advantages of one of these over the other?

What's the least painful way of gathering each of my existing mail
folders on the IMAP server and putting them locally (in nnml format)?

Thanks.
-- 
"If you have a really big idea, you can get a measure of how big it is
by how much people resist the obvious.  From what I've seen, I have a
REALLY, REALLY, *REALLY*, BIG DISCOVERY!!!"  
                                      --James Harris, on being ignored