An email client and file manager provides combined file management and communications management in a single interface. An interface allows documents, email messages, contact information, web links or pages, and user-attached notes to be stored in the same folders. This facilitates communication by email and fax. The interface permits the user to combine this data in folders which the user categorizes according to a folder tree created by the user. In one embodiment of the invention, the client, in its email function, communicates with a dedicated host which in turn communicates with external servers according to standard internet protocol.