[CentOS] Archive mail format?

2011/11/2 Phoenix, Merka <merka.phoenix at hp.com>:
>
> You don't need an IMAP server to access these files. The MBOX format (one large file with all the messages inside) and MAILDIR format (collection of one text file per message within a directory) are simple text files. Most e-mail clients (such as Mozilla Thunderbird, MS Outlook, etc) offer the ability to import these into the e-mail client's message store.

I understand the file types and contents - but was hoping that by now
there would be a standard file type that didn't have to be 'imported'
to a mail reader's message store before being accessed.

-- 
   Les Mikesell
     lesmikesell at gmail.com