Abstract: A messaging system transfers messages between server and client in XML format. The transfer of messages is by HTTP. The server and client store messages in the XML format. The server can collect messages from various sources, convert those into the XML format and supply them to the client. The XML message may include an instruction to the client or server as to how the message is to be processed, for example sent, stored or deleted. The XML messages can be converted to WML format for display on devices such as mobile phones.