The aim is having a very good email system (Gmail is OK for this) with a sound notification for incoming mails(Thunderbird in suitable for this, from version 2).
You can download Thunderbird here.
GMail allows you POP access but before you have to say it you want this opportunities (Settings->Forwarding and POP) .
The way to create a GMail account in Thunderbird is explained here (from GMail help).
