[scottmandue]

Well, my point being you can have multiple email boxes that you can prioritize and check with whatever frequency you feel appropriate.
For me that would be:
Work email = Check hourly (I get assigned tasks via email) when I am at work when I am off the clock, screw 'em (I do know people who check their work email from home).
Personal email = (only given to friends and family) I have my cell phone set up to alert me when I get mail there.
Low Priority email = used if there is any hint of spam, to register at a site to upload audio/video/etc. drivers or software I need for something I am working on... or if you are at the Porsche dealer and they have a "sign up to win a new Porsche, give us your email" that email I check weekly.